“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”–Haile Selassie
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
We remember. We owe it to those who can no longer speak. We must tell their story on their behalf.
Welfare that is not welfare
I categorically believe that welfare provision is NOT a State “hand out” or “something for nothing”. It is paid for
by us via taxes, and is
for us, to provide support at times of need and vulnerability, such as when we are sick, disabled or unemployed (perhaps due to recession – some are now calling it a depression – that has been created and perpetuated by a totally ideologically bound and unresponsive Government, for example).
The fact I felt that I had to state that at all indicates plainly just how terribly effective the Government’s anti-welfare propaganda and calumny has been. Huddled in frightened yet defiant bewilderment, in the face of the finger pointing, bullying, mean-spirited, morally outraged, and the hideous, dehumanising Tory-led ideological rantings, we the persecuted, marginalised and disabled, continue to organise. We have to. We chant our defences, because our lives have become political and public property, and we are being subjected to imposing and increasing physical and existential limits, constantly. We are no longer a civilised and kindly Society that celebrates the achievements of the disabled. We, the marginalised, stigmatised and disavowed, are scapegoated, dehumanised and reduced to socio-economic refugees. We are undeserving folk devils and the Government are generating moral panic regarding how much we are “costing” the State.
It’s a well known bullying tactic to blame the victim.
We know the current benefit system is no longer about welfare, and current policies do not have a core principle – implicitly or explicitly, despite the rhetoric – of ensuring or promoting the well-being of sick and disabled people, or any other vulnerable person. The welfare “reforms” – and the word “reform” implies some positive change that certainly isn’t evident here - are entirely about stripping away our
paid for welfare provision – our social security.
Not a single Tory “reform” is about enhancing lives: they are all about taking money away, and so stifling our potential for positive experiences. Through a combination of changes to existing benefits and the new Universal Credit, the UK Government aims to cut £18 billion off welfare “spending”. A further £10 billion is to be cut from benefit provision in the near future.
“When we struggle to meet basic physical needs, we cannot transcend our biology and fulfil other human needs. We become bound and captured by the physical” – Abraham Maslow.
Benefit rates were originally carefully calculated by a body of professionals and officials to meet basic living requirements, such as food, shelter and fuel costs. Benefit rates have never reflected anything more than a financial amount to meet these fundamental human needs. Our welfare provision has eradicated absolute poverty in Britain, and has been an essential lifeline for many citizens, in times of their need of support. Benefit rates were set at the amount “the law says you need to live on”. If people cannot meet their basic living requirements, they die. It’s a fact. Furthermore,
Maslow tells us that if we are struggling to survive, we cannot fulfil other human needs and motivations.
I know I am not alone in having grave concerns about the fact that the Government have recently introduced harsh sanctions of up to three years without benefits for all benefit claimants, the only ones being exempt from sanctions currently are those placed in the ESA Support Group. This is only a proportionally small number of claimants that will remain unaffected. The Conservatives claim that the sanctions will “help people into work”, and are to be applied to those who “fail” to meet certain “conditions” to look for work. We know, however, that sanctions are applied often without any justifiable
reasons because the DWP deliberately set people up to fail, and we also know that the Government sets
sanction targets for the DWP.
Firstly, only a very cruel and injudicious Government would punish people for being out of work during an economic depression in this way. Secondly, removing people’s means of meeting fundamental survival needs by sanctioning them is most certainly not going to motivate them and “help them into work” as the Government are claiming. Those people will be so entirely pre-occupied with fighting for survival that they won’t be capable of looking for imaginary jobs.
“Evidence also suggests that work can have a positive impact on the long term health of people with disabilities and health conditions,” according to the Government, but we have yet to see convincing evidence of this. Those in the ESA Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) are expected, from December 3rd 2012, to undertake unlimited periods of
mandatory workfare in order to meet conditions for continued eligibility. This means that these sick and disabled people are at an increased risk of being sanctioned, because the condition of qualifying for this benefit in the first place is that a doctor has provided a statement to say that the claimant is unfit for work. That would be unfit for ANY work, including unpaid and grossly exploitative work fare programs. There is clearly a monumental problem regarding Government expectations of those in this group. Once again, the sanctions raise some serious concerns regarding the Government’s casual transgression of human rights.
The Minister for Employment at the time that this Government decided to apply sanctions to sick and disabled people, as well to job seekers, for up to three years, was the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP. He made the following official statement regarding the new sanctions regime and Human Rights: “In my view the provisions of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Sanctions Amendment
Regulations 2012 are compatible with the Convention rights”.
Oh well, that’s okay. Phew! For a moment, we thought that denying people the basic requirements needed for life for up to 3 years, and as a punishment, was a gross breach of Articles 2, 5, 9 and 14 at the VERY least, Glad you cleared that up Mr Grayling… However, someone really ought to send Chris Grayling, Mark Hoban, Lord Freud and Iain Duncan Smith and the rest of the Tories a copy of Maslow’s Hierarchy. But the chances are that the Tories would simply dismiss it as
“anecdotal”.
Not that I believe for one moment that this Government don’t know about Maslow’s Hierarchy, or the common sense understanding that if you remove the means that people have of fulfilling their basic physical needs, they will die. Iain Duncan Smith refused to undertake a cumulative impact assessment of the Welfare Reforms. I am certain that is because he KNEW in advance what the impact and consequences of stripping the most basic income from the most vulnerable members of society would be.
A Department for Work and Pensions
FOI reveals that people having their claim for Employment Support Allowance stopped, between October 2010 and November 2011, with a recorded date of death within six weeks of that claim ceasing,
who were until recently claiming Incapacity Benefit, totalled
310. Between January and November 2011, those having their ESA claim ended, with a recorded date of death within six weeks of that claim ending totalled
10,600. Bearing in mind that those who were successfully migrated to ESA from IB were assessed and deemed unfit for work, (under a different assessment process, originally) one would expect that the death rates would be similar to those who have only ever claimed ESA. This is very clearly not the case.
Furthermore, there are NO alarming increases in death rates amongst those who are still in receipt of Incapacity Benefit – there were approximately a million and a half claimants, compared to less than a million ESA claimants for this period. Many of those migrated so far have not yet had a Work Capability Assessment, as the Government decided to re-assess those people when their review from the Incapacity Benefit Personal Capability Assessment is due, for practical reasons. The migration process won’t be completed, it is anticipated, until 2014.
David Green from the DWP has urged that “care should therefore be taken when interpreting these figures”. Well I HAVE taken care interpreting this data, Mr Green. My careful interpretation is that the Government have MURDERED a significant proportion of those 10,600 people claiming ESA via it’s “Reforms”. Incapacity Benefit was fair, and reflected genuine welfare provision. The Reforms, including the new Tory-shaped ESA benefit, by stark contrast, are all about taking support and provision away from the vulnerable.
Indeed, the Tories have been very keen to articulate the welfare “savings” that they anticipated with regard to the disability benefits, including PIP, which is replacing DLA. But of course, these anticipated “savings” reflect a dark truth: the Government are setting targets to remove benefits from people, regardless of the impact of that imposed deprivation (and frank State theft of our tax funded welfare) on their well being, health and safety.
Those on Incapacity Benefit were not required to have continuous assessments, whereas those on ESA are constantly required to have the Work Capability Assessment. Many claimants have described a “revolving door” process of endless assessment, ceased ESA claim, (based on an outcome of almost invariably being wrongly “assessed” as fit for work), appeal, successful appeal outcome, benefit reinstated, only to find just 3 months later another assessment is required. The uncertainty and loss of even basic security that this process creates, leading to a constant fear and anxiety, is having a negative impact on the health and well-being of so many.
A significant proportion of those required to have endless assessments have very obviously serious illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, lung disease, heart disease, severe and life threatening chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, myalgic encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, brain tumours, severe heart conditions, and severe mental health illness, for example. To qualify for ESA , the claimant must provide a note from a doctor stating that the person is unfit for work. There can be no justification for subjecting people who are so ill to further endless assessments, and to treating us as if we have done something wrong.
Negative labelling, marginalising and stigmatising the vulnerable via propaganda in the media, using despiteful and malicious terms such as “workshy” and “feckless” is a major part of the Government’s malevolent “justification” to the public for removing the lifeline of support from the sick and disabled. We are climbing
Allport’s Ladder. That gives us a clear view of the Nazi realm. I have often suspected that Iain Duncan Smith is channelling the spirit of Goebbels.
In addition to justified anxieties regarding the marked increase in disability hate crime that the Tory-led propaganda campaign has resulted in, many sick and disabled people have also stated that they feel harassed and bullied by the Department of Work and Pensions and Atos. Many talk of the dread they feel when they see the brown Atos envelope containing the ESA50 form arrive through the letter box. The strain of constantly fighting for ESA entitlement and perpetually having to prove that we are a “deserving” and “genuine” sick and disabled person is clearly taking a toll on so many people’s health and well being. Many families of those who have died have said that the constant strain, anxiety and stress of this revolving door process has contributed significantly to their loved ones’ decline in health and subsequent death. The figures from the DWP, and the marked contrast between the ESA and IB death statistics certainly substantiate these claims.
The unbearably horrific, unforgivable and massive increase in deaths over this period coincides with the Government’s totalitarian styled rapid fire legislation of the Reforms, in the face of protest, horror, disbelief, fear and mass opposition. The Tories cited “financial privilege” to trample over opposition, and drown out the voices of protest. Those protesting and challenging this Bill notably included many from the House of Lords.
David Cameron made a Freudian-style slip when he announced to Ed Miliband recently, during Parliamentary debate, that
“We are raising more money for the rich”. Not that we didn’t already know this was so. Many of us – around 73 sick and disabled people every week – are paying for that wealth increase for the already wealthy with our very lives.
There are many who have so tragically lost their lives because of this malicious Government’s brutal and grossly unjust economic war on the vulnerable, and because of the Tory-led ransacking and plundering of our welfare provision, and social support programs.
We must never forget this Government’s culpability. We must succeed in ending this systematic State murder, and we must also ensure that this evil and abhorrent affront to decent and civilised human beings – this catastrophic and silently unfolding Holocaust by stealth – never happens again.
We won’t forget the loss of each of these equally precious lives.
We remember:-
Paul Reekie, 48, left no suicide note but a letter informing him that his welfare benefits were to be stopped were found next to his body.
Richard Sanderson, 44, drew up meticulous suicide plans after learning he could no longer afford the flat he shared with his wife and nine-year-old son after being told their housing benefit would be cut by £30 a month. Richard stabbed himself twice through the heart.
Paul Willcoxson, 33, had mental health problems and was found hanging in Pignals Enclosure, near Hollands Wood campsite. A suicide letter and next of kin note were found in which he expressed concerns about the cuts to his benefits.
Leanne Chambers, 30, her body was found in the river Weir five months after she walked out of her home, she had battled depression for a number of years and had taken a turn for the worse after receiving a letter telling her she had to be assessed by a doctor she did not know, to see if she was fit to return to work.
Christelle Pardo, 32 and Kayjah Pardo 6 months, After having all her income cut off and her housing benefit withdrawn, and with a baby to care for, she had been left destitute. When she begged for help the only response from the DWP was that she didn’t qualify under the rules, so she killed herself and her young child. She jumped from a high rise flat balcony with her baby in her arms.
Elaine Christian, 57, was found in a drain after walking out of her home. A post mortem revealed she had died from drowning, despite having more than ten self-inflicted cuts on her wrists. The inquest in Hull was told Mrs Christian had been deeply worried about a meeting she was due to have to discuss her entitlement to disability benefits.
David Groves, 56, died of a massive heart attack the night before his medical assessment, as he sat at his computer and scoured the Internet for ways to raise cash in case he lost his entitlement.
Mark and Helen Mullins were found lying side by side in their home after committing suicide together. They had been left destitute after Helen had her claim for benefit turned down, they had no food, no heating and no electric.
Linda Knott, 46, had worked as a supervisor at the Brierley Community Centre in Little Hulton for 16 years before it fell victim to spending cuts. The news tipped her into depression and she had already taken an overdose of pills eight days before she was found hanging at her home in Walkden.
Jack Shemtob, 53 jumped to his death from his office building after human resources told him he was losing his job as part of the governments cost cutting programme.
Stephen Hill,53, died of a heart attack a month after having his benefits were stopped, after being told his heart problem were not serious enough to stop him working.
Craig Monk, 43, was found hanging in his home, he had a a partial amputation of his leg and was described by his family as “vulnerable” he became depressed that his benefits had been cut.
Martin Rust, 36, a schizophrenic had his benefits cut and was ordered back to work. He left a note saying: “To those I love, I’m sorry. Goodbye.” Coroner William Armstrong said the DWP’s decision “caused distress and may well have had an adverse effect”, recording that Mr Rust had committed suicide while suffering from a treatment-resistant mental illness.
Paul Turner, 52 died from ischaemic heart disease, which was caused, his family claim, by the stress of losing his benefits. He was told his heart problems were not serious enough for him not to work, he died 4 weeks later.
Mark Scott, 46, who suffered from anxiety, epilepsy was left penniless when he was declared fit for work and his benefits were stopped. He died six weeks later in the Southport flat where he lived alone.
Colin Traynor, who was a life long epileptic. He was assessed as fit for work, he appealed, but his parents say he became depressed and lost weight , he died less than four months later, the day after his death his parents found out he had won his appeal.
08.06.2012 Karen Sherlock died after a long and difficult fight, losing her benefits after being told she was fit for work, and after finally winning her appeal. Karen had diabetes with kidney complications.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/voices/2012/06/disability-karen-sherlock-sue-marsh
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180899/Flawed-disability-tests-send-genuinely-sick-unable-work.html
Stephen Hill was sent to his first Work Capability Assessment in 2010 when he gave up his job as a sandwich delivery man after being referred for tests on his heart. His wife Denise, who was with him at the assessment, said: “She checked him out. She did his blood pressure and his heart and said to see a doctor as soon as possible.” Despite the assessor telling Mr Hill to seek urgent medical advice, he was still found fit for work.
In the meantime doctors had diagnosed him with heart failure. He won his appeal but he was ordered to attend another assessment. “He got a letter for another medical and I couldn’t believe it,” said Mrs Hill. “He’d got to go for a medical when he was waiting for a heart operation.” But he was again declared fit for work, with the assessor declaring: “Significant disability due to cardiovascular problems seems unlikely.” Mr Hill died of a heart attack five weeks later.
31. 8. 2012 A cancer sufferer, who had her benefits cut by government officials who said she was fit to work, has died. Cecilia Burns, 51, from Strabane, County Tyrone, had started a campaign in February to have the decision overturned. Ms Burns had her benefits cut after she was assessed by government contractor Atos Healthcare. She had her benefits reinstated just a few weeks ago but died on Monday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19433535
The parents of a man who suffered from epilepsy and died after being stripped of his benefits have blamed his death on the stress of being found ‘fit for work’.
Colin Traynor, 29, was passed as being able to work as part of the government’s overhaul of the welfare system. He appealed against the decision but died before finding out the result, which was ultimately successful. His family learned the appeal verdict five weeks after his death in April. Mr Traynor’s father Ray said: “I firmly believe – 100% believe – that the system this government introduced has killed my son.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/26/atos-disability-benefits-colin-traynor-epilepsy-_n_1917042.html
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4199739
“My father was claiming ESA for his chest pain (which was on the forms as indigestion/acid reflux, but I am sure he was on tablets for Angina) his difficulty walking and his poor eyesight. 4 weeks after he was called by ESA to tell him that he was fit for work (and a couple of days before his rent was due, which because of ESA stopping his benefit, he was short for) he suffered a huge heart attack, and died a few days later in hospital. A week and a half or so ago, I received a letter from ESA telling me that my father was going through the appeal process and asking if I wanted the process to continue.
I wrote back to the explaining what was wrong with him, and telling them how ridiculous that it was that he was declared fit for work, as there is no way on Gods earth that he was. I asked for the appeal process to continue. This morning, I got a letter through from ESA stating that they are standing by the original decision, even after taking the ‘points I raised’, and his paperwork has now been sent off to an independent tribunal who will look at the decision again. I really feel that ESA have failed my father. (I do believe that they are partly responsible for his death with the stress they caused him) I don’t know who I am supposed to complain to, to make my voice heard. I need to do something to make my complaint heard. To try and get this system changed to help others. Watching Channel 4 news, there is a family who have just gone through the exact same thing and it needs to stop.”
1. 11. 2012 A three year old’s father collapses & dies the day after his benefits were stopped having been ‘declared fit for work’
http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2012/11/01/atos-benefits-bullies-killed-my-sick-dad-says-devastated-kieran-mcardle-13/
and the reply to his letter from Ian Duncan Smith 24 11 2012
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/tory-hatchet-man-iain-duncan-1453863 13 13 2012*
22.10.12 Chris Cann A triple amputee who was wrongly declared fit for work died after being deemed ‘fit for work’ despite being Amputee
http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Shelton-benefits-blunder-victim-Chris-Cann-dies/story-17574922-detail/story.html
With special thanks to Robert Livingstone, for his brilliant artwork, Mike Sivier, Jane Russell, Ania Waterman, DPAC, Black Triangle and all of those who have contributed to keeping Callums List – a chronicle of the tragic losses of life due to the Tory – led welfare “reforms” – up to date.
Worth seeing :-
Iain Duncan Smiths’ deplorable, and typical bully’s response to Owen Jones raising concerns regarding the Work Capability Assessment related deaths on
Question Time.
Further reading :-
Double Karma
Who is accountable and legally liable for the well-being of those deemed “fit for work”?
Sign the WOW petition - a call for a Cumulative Impact Assessment of all cuts and changes affecting sick & disabled people, their families and carers, and a free vote on repeal of the Welfare Reform Act.
It’s a call for an immediate end to the Work Capability Assessment, as voted for by the British Medical Association.
Consultation between the Depts of Health & Education to improve support into work for sick & disabled people, and an end to forced work under threat of sanctions for people on disability benefits.
An Independent, Committee-Based Inquiry into Welfare Reform, covering but not limited to: (1) Care home admission rises, daycare centres, access to education for people with learning difficulties, universal mental health treatments, Remploy closures; (2) DWP media links, the ATOS contract, IT implementation of Universal Credit; (3) Human rights abuses against disabled people, excess claimant deaths & the disregard of medical evidence in decision making by ATOS, DWP & the Tribunal Service.
We must never forget. Nor must we let others forget.
Light is a symbol of truth.
And love.
There is light in the world, and it is
us .
Shine brightly.
Shine bravely, so that you may comfort, inspire
and liberate others.
It is only in the light that we see clearly
that we are not alone.
Source
