Thanks for circulating.

The people at fullfact.org have been following what DWP have been saying on related issues. 

See: http://fullfact.org/factchecks/fit_for_work_employment_support_allowance_half_appeals-28552

Newspapers and other media outlets have had formal complaints made, resulting in a number of corrections.

The DWP has changed their line slightly, in that they are no longer presenting people assessed into the 'Work Related Activity Group' as being 'capable of work', when they've been assessed as not yet capable of work, but may be in future.

As for Salmond's political positioning - Scottish Labour has been highly Blairite on the subject of 'rights and responsibilities', so one suspects he sees some advantage in blaming Westminster (and Labour) for the welfare cuts.

Actually, DWP seem to be improving (from an exceedingly low base). There actually was a press release rather than just an unattributable briefing to the Daily Mail, Express and Telegraph.

Paul Bivand

---------------------------------------------------------
Paul Bivand
Associate Director of Analysis and Statistics
Direct Line: 020 7840 8335

Inclusion
3rd floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7582 7221
Fax: 020 7582 6391
Inclusion website www.cesi.org.uk 

See Inclusion's www.indusdelta.org.uk for the latest news and opinions in welfare to work

Consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?

The contents of this e-mail and any attachment(s) are intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient please return the e-mail to the sender and delete from your mailbox.

The Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales number 2458694. Registered address: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP 


-----Original Message-----
From: email list for Radical Statistics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Veit-Wilson
Sent: 30 January 2013 18:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: 'Nearly one in three people on incapacity benefits capable of work' DWP - and 'alienating welfare reform' Salmond

There are some 'government abuse of statistical presentation' issues here which is why I'm forwarding this to list members who may not be on the social policy list [and apols for the duplicates].
 
John.
 
------------------------------------------------------------
From Professor John Veit-Wilson
Newcastle University GPS -- Sociology
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, England.
Telephone: +44[0]191-222 7498
email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/j.veit-wilson/
 
 

________________________________

From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian Sinfield
Sent: 30 January 2013 17:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: 'Nearly one in three people on incapacity benefits capable of work' DWP - and 'alienating welfare reform' Salmond


I thought this morning's leading headline of The Scotsman was misleading: 'Third of benefit claimants "ruled fit for work"'.  But before complaining I searched for the DWP's own press release.  It perpetrates the error as I understand it - Its heading is 'Nearly one in three people on incapacity benefits capable of work' - see link below.  As far as I can see from following up the report and tables, it is not all benefit claimants, but only those on the old incapacity benefits, and not all of those but only those assessed up to a certain date.  
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2013/jan-2013/dwp015-13.shtml 

<http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2013/jan-2013/dwp015-13.shtml> Perhaps the DWP release should be offered up for discussion on Radio 4's More or Less, with Tim Harford investigating the use and abuse of statistics?

It was then quite a surprise to find that the Scotsman's subtitle 'UK government reveals figures' continues 'as Salmond attacks "brutal" welfare cuts'.  The article goes on to quote from Alex Salmond's inaugural Jimmy Reid Foundation memorial lecture last night.  He denounces the alienation of welfare reform and discusses many other aspects of social policy in an unusually positive light.  Very interesting - here is the link to Salmond's speech. 
http://www.snp.org/blog/post/2013/jan/first-ministers-jimmy-reid-foundation-lecture


If you can't resist  links and want to look at the original Scotsman lead that provoked me, here is the link: 
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/welfare-reforms-threaten-our-dignity-salmond-1-2765301 
I don't know why the headline has changed to '"welfare reforms threaten our dignity" Salmond', and now it is not among the five items first on its website.  

There is also a leading editorial in the paper 'Salmond seizes the high ground on welfare benefits' which in my view is more balanced on both independence and welfare reform than in the past.  My impression is that the Scotsman has slowly become more wary of Westminster welfare reforms claims in recent months.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/leaders-salmond-seizes-the-high-ground-on-welfare-reform-1-2765775

Best wishes, yours, Adrian

Adrian Sinfield
[log in to unmask]

12 Eden Lane,
Edinburgh, EH10 4SD
Scotland, UK
++44 (0)131 447 2182 and
650 3924



****************************************************** Please note that if you press the 'Reply' button your message will go only to the sender of this message. If you want to reply to the whole list, use your mailer's 'Reply-to-All' button to send your message automatically to [log in to unmask] Disclaimer: The messages sent to this list are the views of the sender and cannot be assumed to be representative of the range of views held by subscribers to the Radical Statistics Group. To find out more about Radical Statistics and its aims and activities and read current and past issues of our newsletter you are invited to visit our web site www.radstats.org.uk. ******************************************************* 

******************************************************
Please note that if you press the 'Reply' button your
message will go only to the sender of this message.
If you want to reply to the whole list, use your mailer's
'Reply-to-All' button to send your message automatically
to [log in to unmask]
Disclaimer: The messages sent to this list are the views of the sender and cannot be assumed to be representative of the range of views held by subscribers to the Radical Statistics Group. To find out more about Radical Statistics and its aims and activities and read current and past issues of our newsletter you are invited to visit our web site www.radstats.org.uk.
*******************************************************