Why campaigning for the right to work and employment should be a priority
“The welfare reform debate is confined to a single question: which Party can make it most difficult to get onto and stay on social security benefits.” Neil Crowther argues that we need a campaign about employment and work, rather than talking about welfare reform.
What free press??
“My disgust at our media has only grown over the last four years. Of all the things that make me sit in horrified wonder throughout this whole rancid mess, it’s the lack of balanced reporting over Iain Duncan-Smith’s ‘Welfare Reforms’…” Sue Marsh reviews the media’s record of reporting on the Coalition’s ‘welfare reforms’.
Labour’s new WCA policy, damned with faint praise
“Labour’s team of Rachel Reeves and Kate Green had an article in the Independent on Wednesday How Labour would reform the Work Capability Assessment and the reaction from disabled people has been underwhelming.” David Gillon reviews Labour’s new WCA policy and isn’t too impressed.
Why wanting a better care.data is not luddite
“A piece at The Conversation makes the claim that opposing Care.Data and other elements of NHS digitisation is Luddite. Now seeing as many of the people raising issues with Care.Data are either computer types or research scientists this seems a particularly odd claim…” David Gillon argues why wanting a better care.data is not luddite.
Care.Data. Why disabled people should be worried
“I now think that not only is Care.Data one of the worst fiascos of the current Government, but that it represents a very real threat to disabled people and particularly to the confidentiality of their medical records…” David Gillon looks at the Government’s Care.Data scheme.
Lord Freud and Kris Hopkins don’t know what they’re talking about
“During a Work and Pensions committee hearing on Wednesday 12th February 2014, Ministers representing the government were called to give answers about welfare reform in the provision of housing.” Rob G argues that Lord Freud and Kris Hopkins have shown they simply don’t understand what they’re talking about.
The big benefits row
“As many of you may know by now, last night was the Big Benefits Row on Channel 5. ‘Roll up! Roll up for the spectacliar sight! Real life poor people for your viewing delight!’ ” Sue Marsh argues that disabled people are often overlooked by the media but can use the power of social media to ensure that their voices are heard.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of the best frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 2nd December 2013 – from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement to reframing housing policy and welfare reform to social mobility and finally, if Boris were intelligent…
Leaked evidence shows DWP set quotas for ‘Fit For Work’ Assessments
“It is clear, and in the light of this evidence totally unsurprising, that this iniquitous system is causing immense distress, hardship and increased ill-health for the very people who most need support…” Bendy Girl looks at why so many sick and disabled people are being failed by the WCA.
Open letter to Andrew Marr
“On the Marr show this morning you said you had “a greater understanding of disability” since your stroke… What you actually meant was that you have a greater understanding of disability for wealthy people.” Sue Marsh writes an open letter to Andrew Marr on the impact of welfare reform on people who have had a stroke.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of the best frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 18th November 2013 – from the G4S debacle and what it means for Open Public Services to education, welfare reform and the recent comments by William Shawcross on the definition of charity.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of the best frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 4th November 2013 – from protest and political movements to welfare reform, disability and performance related pay for teachers to outsourcing of public services.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 28th October 2013 – from unqualified teachers to housing, disability policy and mental health.
Dear Kate Green – Where do Disabled People fit in Labour’s ‘Tough on Welfare’?
“We are people who live in fear of a brown envelop, for fear it’s another ATOS appointment or another form from the DWP; where do we fit in Labour’s Welfare Policy?” Jayne Linney writes an open letter to new Shadow Minister for Disabled People Kate Green MP.
Best frontline blogs this week
Here’s our list of ten frontline blogs we’ve particularly liked from the week of 21st October 2013 – from housing policy to education and welfare reform, the Immigration Bill and finally Russell Brand on politics.
Most read posts this week 25th October 2013
Here’s the most read frontline and independent blogs this week based on their combined views on Guerilla Policy and Guerilla Feed – from the Work Programme to mobility support, mental health to Help to Buy.
PIP 20 metre rule consultation response: “We’re not listening.”
“It seems clear that the responses to the consultation were never going to matter; the DWP has ridden roughshod over the whole lot to push ahead with what they want.” Latentexistence looks at the decision by DWP to keep the PIP threshold for enhance support at twenty metres.
I introduce: The new Minister NOT for Disabilities. RIP Alf Morris
“Aha! We have the first jewelled utterances from the new Disability Minister, Mike Penning. Except he isn’t called the Minister for Disabled People any more. In the Daily Mail of course. Where else?” Sue Marsh isn’t impressed with the new Minister for Work and Pensions, Mike Penning.
SS Review
“Everyone has their vulnerabilities though. Mine (ok, one of mine) is Social Services. I wish I was exaggerating, but finding an email from them can turn me from utterly calm and in control into a shrieking mess. It’s irrational, but then we’ve not got a super history…” Lucy in bed describes her experience of Social Services care reviews.