This is outragous why isnt there a mass protest by disabled people? !!!
Janet Taylor (Co-ordinator North West Dyspraxia/Neuro-Diversity Adults
Action) co-chairperson of DANDA web site Http://www.daa.colsal.org.uk
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From: "benefitsandwork" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
To: "List Member" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Private sector to punish sick and disabled claimants
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 00:44:53 -0700
Dear Reader,
Not the cheeriest news this month. The Welfare Reform Bill gives private and
voluntary sector organisations the power to cut claimants benefits when the
new Employment and Support Allowance comes in. The fact that these same
organisations will only get paid by results - claimants attending
interviews, drawing up action plans and getting jobs - means that the threat
of sanctioning claimants benefits may become an important tool for
generating private sector profits.
Then there's the news that all current incapacity benefit claimants will be
moved onto the new Employment and Support Allowance, contrary to previous
reassurances from the DWP. Plus, in a staggering bit of unjoined up
thinking, the DWP has issued new guidance saying that reimbursing volunteers
for their lunch when they are doing voluntary work is not a legitimate
expense payment and the money will be treated as earnings. A cunning way of
encouraging claimants to try voluntary work as a first step back into the
labour market.
On the plus side, DWP doctors have been reminded that they shouldn't check
claimants underwear for evidence of incontinence. In addition, Benefits and
Work is publishing a new guide for members - 50 ways to challenge a DLA/AA
medical report - more details in the underwear article below. And for
members, there's a new forum where they can work together to carry out
research and create information to try to get some of the worst elements of
the Welfare Reform Bill thrown out - more details in the Private Sector
article below.
It looks like being a long, hot summer . . . except in Somerset where it's
currently pouring down.
Good luck,
Steve
PRIVATE SECTOR TO PUNISH SICK AND DISABLED CLAIMANTS
Sweeping powers are to be given to unaccountable private sector and charity
staff to cut sick and disabled claimants benefits. The shock new powers are
contained in the Welfare Reform Bill laid before parliament on 4th July.
Under the terms of the bill private and voluntary sector staff will summon
claimants for repeated work focused interviews, oblige them to draw up
action plans and to take part in work related activities. If claimants fail
to satisfy the requirements of their private sector 'advisers' those same
staff will be able to impose cuts in claimants benefits. The same
organisations, at least one owned by a multi-millionaire, will be paid by
result, depending on how many interviews their staff carry out and how many
claimants they get into work.
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/49_private_sector_powers.htm
DWP THREATENS VOLUNTEERS WHO LUNCH
The DWP has put claimants benefits in jeopardy, as well as breaking a
compact made between the government and the voluntary sector, by issuing new
guidance which says that payments to volunteers for the cost of lunch will
be counted as earnings, not expenses. The guidance claims that basic
benefits payments, such as income support, already cover the cost of
claimants' lunches. The 49 page document chillingly warns claimants to
"Remember, for benefit purposes, a person who is paid for their time isn't a
volunteer. If you get anything more than your expenses, we will treat
everything that you get paid as earnings . . .".
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/48_volunteers_lunch.htm
DOCTORS TOLD NOT TO CHECK CLAIMANTS UNDERWEAR
Using the Freedom of Information Act, Benefits and Work has obtained a copy
of the pack being used by staff teaching Examining Medical Practitioners
(EMPs) how to complete the new DLA and AA medical reports. Astonishingly, in
relation to continence, trainers are told that the key point that they need
to convey to doctors is that:
"For the opinion on Continence it remains inappropriate to check underwear.
Any opinion here should be based on what the EMP knows about the Claimants
medical condition".
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/50_underwear.htm
ALL CLAIMANTS TO BE FORCED OFF INCAPACITY BENEFIT
The DWP has surreptitiously gone back on its word by ruling that all current
incapacity benefits claimants will be forced onto the new Employment and
Support Allowance. This means that many people currently regarded as having
conditions so severe that they are exempt from even having to have a medical
assessment will, in the future, have to undertake work related activities or
have their benefits cut. In addition, the DWP has now ruled that whilst
waiting to be transferred, all existing claimants will be obliged to draw up
a return to work action plan and take part in compulsory work focused
interviews.
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/47_all_IB_claimants_%20to_migrate.htm
AGE DISCRIMINATION: IS YOUR ORGANISATION READY?
A one day course delivered by Holiday Whitehead, employment barrister.
28 September / 19 October. 10am - 4pm Bristol
With the introduction of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations on 1
October 2006 all employers will be required to adopt the requirements of the
new Regulations with regard to many of their employment practices. This one
day course provides a detailed overview of the new Regulations and
highlights areas of particular concern for organisations, including
recruitment, retention, dismissal and retirement.
For further details, download a flyer in Word format:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/book/age_discrimination.doc
You are welcome to forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be
interested in the contents. If you have received this newsletter from
someone else and would like to sign up yourself, you can do so for free at:
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/site/updates.htm
(c) 2006 Steve Donnison. All rights reserved.
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