Upset, Angry and Deeply Disappointed!
There are more words that can be used to describe Disability Equality Scotland’s reaction to the United Kingdom (UK) Government’s announcement yesterday (Tuesday 18 March), concerning its review of benefits. Indeed, yesterday the UK Government chose to ignore disabled people and their organisations. We, along with our peers in all four home nations, have written to the government to strongly object to the changes.
About 4 months ago, I had used the phrase “it is really not a good time to be a disabled person in the United Kingdom.” This was supposed to be challenging, thought provoking and headline grabbing. It was certainly not supposed to be a factual comment on the time – or become a description of the future!
Just about a year ago, I was aghast at the language and suggestions for reform that came from our then UK government. Proposals that were targeted towards discriminating against disabled people. Proposals that would end up removing basic rights for disabled people. Proposals that would increase the societal perception that disabled people are “benefits scroungers”, “lazy”, or just “cost too much.”
It was just as horrendous to hear that same type of language and announcements that these suggestions are coming into play over the coming years:
- Young people will be unable to apply for the health benefit component of Universal Credit. Does that mean they are not allowed to be disabled or have long term conditions?
- Disabled people being ‘forced’ back into work – when some are not able to do so. Who is going to support employers to be flexible and supportive in their recruitment? What about accessibility and inclusivity of recruitment?
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) being more difficult to obtain. Whilst we in Scotland have the Adult Disability Payment (ADP), no doubt this change at UK level will have an eventual impact on people living in Scotland. This may be indirectly or, for some, directly as they are still receiving PIP.
A No 10 spokesperson said the Government believed there was “currently a broken social security system which is holding people and our country back”. I think we can all agree that our social security system needs reform – as does so many other services to the people of our country. But does the government truly think that by attacking disabled people this is the right path to take?
Wes Streeting, UK Health Secretary, recently stated that doctors are “over diagnosing” mental health conditions. A good way for those who live with mental health impairments to be stigmatised even more! Or worse still, for someone not to reach out for help when they need it.
Should we not have a government which is looking at the reasons for: more long term sick; more diagnoses and; an increased benefits bill?
The Covid pandemic caused huge strain on an already underfunded and cracking National Health Service (NHS). Our NHS did an amazing job – but those cracks became craters.
Lack of continued investment, resources, training and more, has resulted in many people being long term sick, due to being stuck on long waiting lists.
Covid caused Long Covid – no one could have foreseen this. But millions of people have been ignored with no pathways for treatment, research or support.
Mental health and social isolation has increased – young people have lost schooling and yet are expected to just ‘get on with it’ now that we have gone back to ‘normal’.
Do we not want a compassionate government? One that tackles the causes of an increased social security bill rather than blaming people and disabled people at most?
How will this affect the people of Scotland and the Scottish Government? Well we can only wait to see whilst hoping for better!
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