Disabled People's Direct Action Network occupy DWP Office
Swanner | 17.04.2008 13:13 | London | Sheffield
People campaigning against the Govt's draconian welfare reforms have occupied a major DWP office in London
Just been forwarded this, It is good news that this has happened, with the Welfare Reform Act 2007, the Freud Review/ Welfare Green Paper and now Freud Redux, the scope, speed and, yes, ferocity of welfare reform has been breath-taking. This is all a move to a privatised and minimal U.S model. The new labour govt are hurtling us back to the 19th C, perhaps this is the ultimate logic of neo-liberalism
The Welfare Reform Act (WRA) will see disabled claimants lose significant loss of benefits, even ‘harsher’ medical tests, forced into unsuitable work or medical interventions and housing benefits cuts. Implementation of the Freud Review, (compiled in only twelve weeks!) by the Investment Banker, Matthew Freud, will see a number of private companies and charities making profits from claimants as they are hired to push disabled people, single parents, etc back into work or training, etc. Significantly they will be paid only by results The Conservatives policies are just as draconian, while Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, has stated he would like all IB to be abolished completely.
FWD
DISABLED PEOPLES' DIRECT ACTION NETWORK - PRESS RELEASE
DISABLED CAMPAIGNERS - RESISTING POLITICAL INCAPACITY AND DEMANDING AN END
TO HARASSMENT
ACTION: Disabled Campaigners are planning to protest against the DWP
(Adelphi House, 1 to 10 John Adams Street, WC2) at lunchtime today (17th
April). We will be delivering the attached letter for James Purnell (Work
and Pensions Secretary) and will be requesting a meeting with him.
WE ARE SICK OF: Politicians who attack minorities - perceived as easy
targets - for public spending cuts.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Do as we say, or risk losing benefits.
OUR RESPONSE: We call on all Disabled Claimants to defend their needs, and
DWP Staff / Trade Unions not to cooperate with this harassment of Disabled
People.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: They want to re-test all claims for IB (Incapacity
Benefit).
OUR RESPONSE: Claimants are already regularly tested in relation to their
claims through questionnaires and physical assessments by Benefits Agencies
/ Medical Services.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Replace "Sick-Notes" with "Well-Notes".
OUR RESPONSE: This cynical exercise won't halt discrimination against
Disabled People in the work place, or increase our chances of employment. It
will however, force more Disabled People into poverty.
PRESS CONTACTS:
DAN Press Officer for this Action:
Mike Higgins (0114 225 8676 /
danpress@blueyonder.co.uk)
Live on the Action:
Barry Schaufer (07508 634 228)
Nick Saunders (07956 682 830)
Pictures from the Action by:
Sid Baility (07951 050 153)
Hugh Hill ( hughiehill@hotmail.com)
Mozaz (Indymedia: 07816 572 505)
Some affected IB claimants:
Clair Lewis (07970 959 791)
Colin Revell (07518 350133)
Stella Ryan (07904 935 413)
RELATED POINTS / ISSUES:
. A one-off assessment only gives a snapshot of a Disabled Claimant's
condition at that moment.
. Welfare Reform ignores the reality of invisible and fluctuating
impairments and contributes to discrimination against all Disabled People.
. Political and media coverage suggesting there has been a significant
increase in IB claims since the 1980s is misleading. IB was actually
introduced in 1995.
. A much higher percentage, than previously, of Disabled People are now
living in the community and claiming benefits, rather than being
institutionalised.
. A "long hours / short breaks" work culture makes it harder for Disabled
People to cope with employment. Rather than attacking Disabled People as
work-shy and lazy, the government could provide incentives which change
workplace culture to encouraging flexi-time or working from home for
example.
. There is a lack of access to meaningful workplace education and training.
This leads to many Disabled People lacking qualifications, job skills and
therefore decent jobs with adequate incomes.
. Instead of attacking Disabled People, the Government should prosecute
employers who repeatedly break the law by discriminating against Disabled
People
. For more details about the background to DAN's concerns, see the attached
leaflet, which we will be distributing at today's event.
The Welfare Reform Act (WRA) will see disabled claimants lose significant loss of benefits, even ‘harsher’ medical tests, forced into unsuitable work or medical interventions and housing benefits cuts. Implementation of the Freud Review, (compiled in only twelve weeks!) by the Investment Banker, Matthew Freud, will see a number of private companies and charities making profits from claimants as they are hired to push disabled people, single parents, etc back into work or training, etc. Significantly they will be paid only by results The Conservatives policies are just as draconian, while Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, has stated he would like all IB to be abolished completely.
FWD
DISABLED PEOPLES' DIRECT ACTION NETWORK - PRESS RELEASE
DISABLED CAMPAIGNERS - RESISTING POLITICAL INCAPACITY AND DEMANDING AN END
TO HARASSMENT
ACTION: Disabled Campaigners are planning to protest against the DWP
(Adelphi House, 1 to 10 John Adams Street, WC2) at lunchtime today (17th
April). We will be delivering the attached letter for James Purnell (Work
and Pensions Secretary) and will be requesting a meeting with him.
WE ARE SICK OF: Politicians who attack minorities - perceived as easy
targets - for public spending cuts.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Do as we say, or risk losing benefits.
OUR RESPONSE: We call on all Disabled Claimants to defend their needs, and
DWP Staff / Trade Unions not to cooperate with this harassment of Disabled
People.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: They want to re-test all claims for IB (Incapacity
Benefit).
OUR RESPONSE: Claimants are already regularly tested in relation to their
claims through questionnaires and physical assessments by Benefits Agencies
/ Medical Services.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS: Replace "Sick-Notes" with "Well-Notes".
OUR RESPONSE: This cynical exercise won't halt discrimination against
Disabled People in the work place, or increase our chances of employment. It
will however, force more Disabled People into poverty.
PRESS CONTACTS:
DAN Press Officer for this Action:
Mike Higgins (0114 225 8676 /
danpress@blueyonder.co.uk) Live on the Action:
Barry Schaufer (07508 634 228)
Nick Saunders (07956 682 830)
Pictures from the Action by:
Sid Baility (07951 050 153)
Hugh Hill (
hughiehill@hotmail.com) Mozaz (Indymedia: 07816 572 505)
Some affected IB claimants:
Clair Lewis (07970 959 791)
Colin Revell (07518 350133)
Stella Ryan (07904 935 413)
RELATED POINTS / ISSUES:
. A one-off assessment only gives a snapshot of a Disabled Claimant's
condition at that moment.
. Welfare Reform ignores the reality of invisible and fluctuating
impairments and contributes to discrimination against all Disabled People.
. Political and media coverage suggesting there has been a significant
increase in IB claims since the 1980s is misleading. IB was actually
introduced in 1995.
. A much higher percentage, than previously, of Disabled People are now
living in the community and claiming benefits, rather than being
institutionalised.
. A "long hours / short breaks" work culture makes it harder for Disabled
People to cope with employment. Rather than attacking Disabled People as
work-shy and lazy, the government could provide incentives which change
workplace culture to encouraging flexi-time or working from home for
example.
. There is a lack of access to meaningful workplace education and training.
This leads to many Disabled People lacking qualifications, job skills and
therefore decent jobs with adequate incomes.
. Instead of attacking Disabled People, the Government should prosecute
employers who repeatedly break the law by discriminating against Disabled
People
. For more details about the background to DAN's concerns, see the attached
leaflet, which we will be distributing at today's event.
Swanner
e-mail:
sheffieldwelfare_an@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://www.swansheffield.org.uk
Additions
The Leaflet being handed out by DAN at today's Action
17.04.2008 15:46
DAN'S SICK NOTE
The Disabled Peoples' Direct Action Network are protesting at the Department
for Work and Pensions in central London today.
We are delivering a letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions Secretary)
and will be demanding a meeting with him today.
WE ARE SICK OF:
. Politicians who attack minorities - that they see as easy targets - for
public spending cuts, and biased media / press coverage that negatively
portrays Disabled People as lazy scroungers and benefit cheats.
. Lack of access to meaningful education and training, leading to a lack of
qualifications and job skills.
. Work in hostile environments where employers continue to discriminate;
i.e. can't tolerate disabled employees that need part time and flexi-time
work due to their impairments and don't have mechanisms that allow Disabled
People to be absent without prior notification, for their condition /
impairment.
. The lack of support to help us get to work and function in the work place;
eg, regular breaks, shorter hours and a working week that can be adapted to
suit our needs.
DAN SAYS
DISABLED PEOPLE WANT:
. Politicians, press and media to wake up to the damage their words do.
. Access to meaningful education and training, leading to proper
qualifications and job skills.
. Justice in the workplace with real penalties for discriminatory employers.
. A positive approach to the inclusion of Disabled People, especially those
with invisible and fluctuating impairments / conditions.
. Solutions to poverty rather than policies that compound it.
. An end to the discriminatory practices of the Work Capability Assessment
for Incapacity Benefit.
. A fair and just system that enables Disabled People who seek work and a
non-punitive system for those Disabled People who cannot currently work.
. Decent jobs with adequate incomes.
The Disabled Peoples' Direct Action Network are protesting at the Department
for Work and Pensions in central London today.
We are delivering a letter for James Purnell (Work and Pensions Secretary)
and will be demanding a meeting with him today.
WE ARE SICK OF:
. Politicians who attack minorities - that they see as easy targets - for
public spending cuts, and biased media / press coverage that negatively
portrays Disabled People as lazy scroungers and benefit cheats.
. Lack of access to meaningful education and training, leading to a lack of
qualifications and job skills.
. Work in hostile environments where employers continue to discriminate;
i.e. can't tolerate disabled employees that need part time and flexi-time
work due to their impairments and don't have mechanisms that allow Disabled
People to be absent without prior notification, for their condition /
impairment.
. The lack of support to help us get to work and function in the work place;
eg, regular breaks, shorter hours and a working week that can be adapted to
suit our needs.
DAN SAYS
DISABLED PEOPLE WANT:
. Politicians, press and media to wake up to the damage their words do.
. Access to meaningful education and training, leading to proper
qualifications and job skills.
. Justice in the workplace with real penalties for discriminatory employers.
. A positive approach to the inclusion of Disabled People, especially those
with invisible and fluctuating impairments / conditions.
. Solutions to poverty rather than policies that compound it.
. An end to the discriminatory practices of the Work Capability Assessment
for Incapacity Benefit.
. A fair and just system that enables Disabled People who seek work and a
non-punitive system for those Disabled People who cannot currently work.
. Decent jobs with adequate incomes.
Colin Revell
e-mail:
colrev@hotmail.co.uk
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