Government plans for the sick and disabled

[Covenant]

Some long-term sick and disabled people face being forced to work unpaid for an unlimited amount of time or have their benefits cut under plans being drawn up by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mental health professionals and charities have said they fear those deemed fit to undertake limited amounts of work under a controversial assessment process could suffer further harm to their health if the plans go ahead.

The new policy, outlined by DWP officials in meetings with disabilities groups, is due to be announced after legal changes contained in clause 54 of the welfare reform bill have made their way through parliament.

The policy could mean that those on employment and support allowance who have been placed in the work-related activity group (Wrag) could be compelled to undertake work experience for charities, public bodies and high-street retailers. The Wrag group includes those who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer but have more than six months to live; accident and stroke victims; and some of those with mental health issues

Hands up those who voted Tory.

[morris_minor]

It's said you can tell a lot about a country by the way it looks after it weaker/poorer members. The UK's going to the dogs. No wonder Alex Salmond wants to extricate Scotland from the Union!

[chelsea]

Can't belive anyone expected any more from these bunch of c90ts.
People who voted for them are probably rich, young or daily mail readers .

[Mr Nad]

Britain has already gone to the dogs.

Personally, I think there are plenty of 'sick' and 'disabled' people who are neither sick nor disabled.

In my family there is a 'sick' person and a 'disabled' person. The sick person is fat, and too sodding lazy to slim down. The NHS wastes an inordinate amount of time and money on said person. The disabled person does indeed have a disability, but is too lazy to get off his arse which only makes his disability worse. If he got off his arse, he could easily find a job, or go self employed. When I was self employed I offered him very well paid work (work I couldn't do as part of my business, but would have been a great start for him)... he was too lazy to take it.

If you can work you should make an attempt to work. If you don't then the state should not support your idleness.

Of course, those in genuine need should be supported, but if they can afford cigarettes, meals out, fancy mobile phones, and Sky/Virgin, then I would argue they are receiving to much in benefits.

Even on my average wage I can't afford all those things.

NO, I did not vote Tory, Lib Dem, or Labour.

[Alex_UK]

I have a similar viewpoint to Lenny on this... Both my parents retired early on health grounds with a whopping Local Authority pension in their 50s which we're paying for... My Wife's Mum and Dad are both divorced and remarried, but all four of them are "disabled" and don't work. I don't want to go into too much detail, but all 4 of them find plenty of time and physical ability to be able to spend hours a day on Facebook or playing games - so why shouldn't some of that spare time be devoted to doing some good or putting something back?

Now, dragging cancer patients out of their hospices to clean the streets is a different matter - but I'm 100% behind any initiative which stops the slackers from taking the piss...

:sofa:

[Rare Bird]

Nearly all our family members are blatant scrounges..

The Free gratis cars need looking into, only the people who truly need them should have them.

[Alex_UK]

The Free gratis cars need looking into, only the people who truly need them should have them.

Well I wasn't going to mention... but how many "normal" people can afford a brand new car every 3 years without batting an eyelid? Both sets of my in-laws, apparently... :rolleyes:

[chelsea]

I like to be in the position to own a car under 10 years old.

[Welder]

I know a few people who are registered alcoholics who seem to get more money from the state than I can earn.

[Canetoad]

I'm with you guys! :steam:

[jostber]

Sir no more:

http://www.wgbh.org/News/Articles/2012/2/1/Sir_No_More_Former_Bank_Chief_Stripped_Of_Title.cf m

[Covenant]

What upsets me is the weak and vulnerable being at the mercy of political decisions precisely because they are a soft target. Sure, we all know scroungers who need a kick up the backside but surely there is a method of separating them from the sick and frail.

[chelsea]

If they tried to get me to work with 9 months to live they could go and take a running jump.
Where do they get these complete clowns from.

[synsei]

I'm sure the government would be delighted to read some of the posts in this thread, it demonstrates that their media fed propaganda campaign against the sick and disabled is working perfectly... :mental:

Could I respectfully request that this thread be locked before we discover anymore bigots under the dung heap?

[morris_minor]

Nearly all our family members are blatant scrounges..

These free gratis cars on disability want stopping aswell imho.

I assume you mean Motability cars? Well, thanks a million. I need my wheelchair accessible Motability car to take me in my wheelchair out and about. I choose to "spend" my DLA this way so I can get to work, and get out with my wife and kids. Of course if you preferred I stayed housebound and claimed unemployment benefit you only have to say.

[morris_minor]

Could I respectfully request that this thread be locked before we discover anymore bigots under the dung heap?

I agree Dave.

[synsei]

I'm sick to death of what is being done to our country by this government. This used to be a nation that cared for its sick and infirm and now those in power are spreading lies to the press and they are complicit in stirring up hatred within the general population aimed at those who can't work. I'm not blind to the fact there are those who take advantage of the system and they make me as angry as the next guy, but this campaign is a Blunderbuss where instead a Sniper Rifle is needed. They are getting us to do their dirty work and they are succeeding. Once we turn on each other we are lost... :(

[Rare Bird]

I assume you mean Motability cars? Well, thanks a million. I need my wheelchair accessible Motability car to take me in my wheelchair out and about. I choose to "spend" my DLA this way so I can get to work, and get out with my wife and kids. Of course if you preferred I stayed housebound and claimed unemployment benefit you only have to say.

Im not refering to people who physically need them. i'm refering to people get them & don't need them..

[Mr Nad]

There are those in genuine need, and there are those who just think they are.
The problem is how do you find out who is genuine.

Can someone explain to me how a family of 6 living ENTIRELY on benefits, can afford a £2000 HD 3D television with surround sound system, the full Sky TV package, iPhones, Xbox, PS3 and Wii, nice big people carrier, and a fortnight's holiday in Florida during the peak summer season?

This isn't a made up family; it's a family I had the displeasure of knowing.

I'd love those things, but as I'm working and not in receipt of any benefits other than for my children (which I transfer straight into their savings accounts - it's for their benefit, not mine), I can't afford such luxuries.

--------

I do not agree that cancer patients who are suffering or recovering from treatment should be forced to work.

I do agree, however, that the welfare state, the NHS, and parliament itself need a major overhaul. The welfare state is too generous and is a disincentive to work for many people. The NHS is unresponsive to peoples needs (why on earth can't I see a doctor or get proper treatment at the weekend?). Parliament is a disgrace, an affront to democracy.

There is nothing bigoted about holding those opinions.

Those of you who are moaning about the government, get off your backsides and put yourself forward for election either locally or nationally. Pop down to the local party office and state your interest. If you're passionate enough, you may get selected.

I state again, I voted for none of three main parties. (Nor for any of the extreme parties!)

[Macca]

The policy could mean that those on employment and support allowance who have been placed in the work-related activity group (Wrag) could be compelled to undertake work experience for charities, public bodies and high-street retailers. The Wrag group includes those who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer but have more than six months to live; accident and stroke victims; and some of those with mental health issues

Hands up those who voted Tory.

Is this AOS or the 'Socialist Worker' website? :lol:

Seriously that will never,ever happen. They have never made working for benefits compulsory, even for the able bodied, and they never will. They just talk about it every now and then to keep the Daily Mail crowd satisfied. Labour did the same.

[Marco]

Guys,

I've locked this one, as it doesn't seem to be going anywhere useful.

Marco.