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Miranda Dunn
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# Posted: 30 Jan 2008 14:58
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The MP for Chipping Barnet Theresa Villiers Article "Step up and work again" was Hendon Times - Thursday January 17th, 2008
Villiers article claimed that 'exposing those hiding behind incapacity is the start of getting those capable back in employment'. This shows her aspiration to follow Norman Tebbit's approach to unemployment summed up by his catchphrase "Get on your bike." Her glib statement: 'An incoming Conservative government would make it a priority to give every claimant a proper assessment.' Infering that most now claiming incapacity benefit are fraudsters - who have somehow played the system - would be laughable; if it were not part of a worrying trend. The trend that shows Grey Politicians anxious to criticise those on benefits to increase their popularity. Cameron is also guilty of this habit of expecting to gain political capital from attacking those living on benefit.
Villier's assumption that there are enough jobs to provide useful employment for those with disabilities; which could involve dealing with problems from incontinence to mental health problems or arthritis is glib. The Brown Government's detachment during the ruthless cutbacks at Remploy; shows the state is becoming harder in its approach to those with disabilities. The Tory Party's eagerness to join in the game of crushing those least able to resist, now that the economy is creaking, is frightening.
Last year Mike Freer withdrew the Council's contracts from one of the best private companies providing care for young people with mental health issues. The consequences of his decision are paid for by the individual families affected by his financial penny pinching and were and are harsh.
Villiers appears all heart when she states: "Having a job and working is beneficial for a whole range of reasons - not just to pay the bills and put food on the table, but for self esteem as well." Perhaps she should visit a few people living on incapacity benefit and see if she is able to find them permanent jobs by searching through the internet and local jobcentres and helping them to get to interviews and providing them with support. She might discover that there are plenty of people without disabilities struggling to find work in competition with the more vulnerable. Her confidence that the Conservatives can change the lifechances of those on incapacity benefit assumes that they can cure decades of deprivation and social isolation through a little tough love.
The market for jobs suitable for those with schizophrenia and other mental health issues is grim. Because despite all the talk most work is not flexible enough to cope with changing time schedules. Villiers is living in cloud cuckoo land if she thinks most people on incapacity benefit are shirkers. Finding places for people without disabilities in the voluntary sector is not a piece of cake. Frankly Villiers cannot be serious if she thinks she can be tougher than New Labour on those with disabilities because the situation is already desperate. In my opinion only the Nazis were tougher on those with disabilities than New Labour! Theresa's statements about incapacity allowance claimants have all the validity of Marie-Antoinette's famous response when told that the French Peasants were rioting for bread. "Let them eat cake!" "Step up and work again." Who does she think she is?
It is time that everyone realised that Care in the Community is becoming abuse in the Community. Given adequate support those with disabilities, do their best to find work that they are able to do, to make their lives bearable and to contribute to society. It is time society gave them back the support they deserve. This means benefits, which are not clawed back, when those with disabilities, find work.
Miranda Dunn
Green Party Candidate for Barnet & Camden
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frances
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2008 04:11
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You raise so many interesting points. I don't think we can expect MPs to understand much about mental illness when the rest of us know so little about it until we have to deal with it. Severe mental illness is one of the last taboos we prefer to stay in ignorance about. How much better for early detection and early treatment and acceptance if this ignorance was lifted by sensible public health information. Remember when no one mentioned cancer - things are so much better now.
And the problem of thinking all claimants are scroungers has to be faced too. We have to separate good provision for genuine claimants from a discussion about fraud. If every time you try and provide for sick or disabled people someone says that you can't treat them properly for fear of attracting fraudulent claims you will end up making all provision horrible and mean. It's like saying - don't make the disabled parking adequate for fear of able bodied people abusing it. Possible fraud should be taken seriously and addressed separately. It is not part of the discussion about good provision.
And beware that word - independence. Brilliant for those disabled people able to achieve it. Absolutely to be encouraged. But so often it is used to cover lack of support and provision and is code for saving money. They say in our carer group that good care in the community is more expensive not less expensive than institutional care. Neglect in the community however comes in very cheap.
Politicians who don't understand mental illness think let's close supported group living like Barnet, tell mentally ill people to go and live in on their own without support and get a job in the open job market and we have transformed them from a disabled person who needs our support into a well person who costs nothing. I wish.
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Dugsie
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2008 05:22
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Politicians make propaganda. That's what they do in off moments from feathering their own nests.
So the Tories are tougher than New Labour on crime and on 'benefit fraudsters'. Actually,Tories and New Labour are part of the same neoliberal consensus. It's about creating the conditions for private profit at the expense of public care. How come these careerist politicians don't get so exercised about the massive amount of tax evasion by the super rich ?
It is the vulnerable and needy they pick on. We should know them for bullies and chancers they really are.
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Jon
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2008 10:25
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I am glad that one of the political parties has a candidate who realises how complicated the issues that surround incapacity claimants really are. There is increasing feeling that most MPs are divorced from the reality that many of their constituents have to face - and just rely on soundbites to appeal to the notorious 'floating voter'.
Many people are ignorant about Mental Illness - which is why it is so important that those in politics speak out and attempt the difficult task of educating the electorate about it, rather than taking the easy and disingenous option of making cheap shots. Villiers may think she is being strong - in fact she is being very weak indeed.
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jane
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2008 08:26
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there ia a lot here about Incapacity Benefit and fraud.I wonder how many people are aware of Tony Blair altering the system for people with Learning Disabilities?My son has Downs Syndrome and Diabetes. Ten years ago, he would have left school, and been in receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance. That chamges several years ago, and new claimants now have to claim Incapacity Benefit. This is more money, but my son is not able to top up with Income Support, which was previously the case, and still is for older people who can still get severe disablement allowance. This means my son has to lose money for dentist and cannot claim travelling expenses for hospital appointments, which are varied and many.
He is not incapacitated through illness,but this system boosts the numbers on Incapacity Benefit, which of course suits the government.
My younger son has clinical depression, together with Diabetes, but he is able to look for work.(Two years ago, this would not have been possible, as he could hardly look after himself, due to his depression).I cannot pretend to know much about severe mental illness,but do realise that people need a lot of care and support to get from day to day, never mind looking for work, or holding down a job.
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