Alex Hern writes on the Spartacus report, which shows the extent of opposition to the changes to DLA
A new report on the proposed changes to disability living allowance (DLA) shows the extent of the government’s suppression of evidence around the issue.
The Department for Work and Pensions held a public consultation on the issue, but then proceeded to bury much of the findings.
A freedom of information request to the DWP revealed, among other things, that:
• 98 per cent of respondents objected to the qualifying period for benefits being raised from three months to six months
• 99 per cent of respondents objected to Disability Living Allowance no longer being used as a qualification for other benefits
• 92 per cent opposed removing the lowest rate of support for disabled people
As we reported on Friday, the Mayor of London’s submission to the consultation agreed with the vast majority of respondents on all three of those issues, arguing that:
“The three-month benefit qualification period [for Disability Living Allowance] should be retained, rather than extending this to six months as proposed”
And that he is:
“Concerned about the government suggestion to remove automatic entitlement [to Disability Living Allowance] for certain groups. Claims should be based on the needs and circumstances of the individual applying.”
The mayor also refused to support changing from a three-tier system of benefits to two, saying:
“As those on the lower rate care component may have additional costs as a result of their impairment but may lose their access to this benefit as part of the proposed removal under the reforms.”
The mayor’s submission also highlighted the key fact to bear in mind when considering the DLA changes:
The Department of Work and Pensions statistics give the overall fraud rate for Disability Living Allowance as being less than 0.5 per cent.
The report also concludes, among other things, that:
• Only seven per cent of organisations that took part in the consultation were fully in support of plans to replace DLA with PIP
• There was overwhelming opposition in the consultation responses to nearly all of the government’s proposals for DLA reform
• The government has consistently used inaccurate figures to exaggerate the rise in DLA claimants
• Respondents to the consultation repeatedly warned that the government’s plans could breach the Equality Act, the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The full report, Responsible Reform, lays out the case for keeping DLA in great detail.
Sue Marsh asks supporters to join the campaign:
Tweeting using the hashtag #spartacusreport “I support the #spartacus report”
Change Facebook status to “I support the Spartacus Report”
Email your MP with the links to the report and the press release using this short covering letter
Disabled people will be hurt by the government’s reforms. It is in everyone’s interest to help this fight.
See also:
• Boris has slammed Coalition welfare reforms – from the left – Daniel Elton, January 6th 2012
• Five reasons to oppose the welfare bill – Daniel Elton, December 12th 2011
• Society and the media are failing the sick and disabled – Sue Marsh, May 13th 2011
• Government plans to cut DLA could cause extreme hardship – Sue Marsh, January 24th 2011
• Charities urge rethink on DLA mobility allowance cuts – Sarah Ismail, January 12th 2011
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25 Responses to “Time to step forward on the Spartacus report”
Daniel
Link to pdf of full #spartacusreport in this article http://t.co/HwLvSnlM Government basically ignoring the responses to every question
Anonymous
Moving people to DLA, the vast majority of people on DLA are in work, and DLA is mostly paid to people who work, notice work, you do not get placed onto DLA you apply for it and you can be in work.
Now then putting people onto ESA is very difficult now with the WCA .
But hell I do not trust any party now will not be to long before we have holiday camps with work pays on the gates.
Anonymous
Moving people to DLA, the vast majority of people on DLA are in work, and DLA is mostly paid to people who work, notice work, you do not get placed onto DLA you apply for it and you can be in work.
Now then putting people onto ESA is very difficult now with the WCA .
But hell I do not trust any party now will not be to long before we have holiday camps with work pays on the gates.
Lord Blagger
Ah yes – the socialist solution. They were the ones with the camps.
A bit like all those MPS with there ‘work experience’ that pays nothing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7995652.stm
Mr Brown said a promise to bring in compulsory community service would be a part of his next election manifesto
Arbeit macht frei – Labour policy isn’t it?
We already have compulsion and taxation using force. No different from the mafia and their extortion racket.
Why, as an example, cannot taxpayers go on strike witholding money used for illegal wars?
Workers can strike against employers, so should the taxpayer.
Lord Blagger
Ah yes – the socialist solution. They were the ones with the camps.
A bit like all those MPS with there ‘work experience’ that pays nothing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7995652.stm
Mr Brown said a promise to bring in compulsory community service would be a part of his next election manifesto
Arbeit macht frei – Labour policy isn’t it?
We already have compulsion and taxation using force. No different from the mafia and their extortion racket.
Why, as an example, cannot taxpayers go on strike witholding money used for illegal wars?
Workers can strike against employers, so should the taxpayer.