No Men Of Honour
At The Broken of Britain we regularly receive emails from sick and disabled people in utter despair at the damage the cuts to benefits are causing to their lives. It's both the most difficult and most rewarding part of what we do. Although we are used to the fear and distress people are being put through, it's impossible for us to remain emotionally detached, and some cases are particularly hard to comprehend. Today is just one such example. A young woman with a life limiting, painful and severely disabling genetic condition is facing the prospect of losing her home due to the changes in the way local housing allowance is calculated. In her own words, she writes to the Prime Minister and Chancellor to remind them of their many, many promises to always protect the most vulnerable.
"And I want to say to British people clearly and frankly this; if you are elderly, if you are frail, if you are poor, if you are needy, a Conservative government will always look after you"
David Cameron 4.5.2010
"And I want to say to British people clearly and frankly this; if you are elderly, if you are frail, if you are poor, if you are needy, a Conservative government will always look after you"
David Cameron 4.5.2010
"I have never felt lower. Because of changes to housing benefit, I've been reduced to a worrying mess. I face the possibility of being moved out of my flat that has an extra room for when I need a carer because the local housing allowance is dropping so much.
I'm entitled to a two-bedroom rate of housing benefit, but it's dropping so much, it will be lower than the one-bedroom rate I'm currently on.
I'm too severely disabled to work. I cannot walk far, my condition is extremely painful, and I face unpredictable fluctuations in my disability where one day I may be unable to swallow properly, be able to get onto my feet, or even see properly. It is difficult enough to look after myself on a day to day basis, yet you are making it harder.
I receive DLA, Income Support and even Severe Disablement Allowance. Yet despite being acknowledged as one of the most deserving recipients of housing benefit, the office who deal with my benefit do not understand why I am to be one of the worst off, with no exception.
This morning I listed ten items to sell on eBay. These were presents I received last Christmas and on my last birthday. The items I am selling are two well made winter jumpers, some DVDs of films I enjoy, and three handbags (from high-street stores). I don't have anything of big value I can sell, and although I love the clothes and watching the DVDs I am selling, I have nothing else nice that anyone else would want. I am looking around for other things to sell, as times are hard enough without the impending drop in housing benefit.
You and George Osborne said you would not leave the infirm without help. Well, you've let me down, and many others too. You have gone back on your word, and you are no man of honour."
5 comments:
“And I want to say to British people clearly and frankly this; if you are elderly, if you are frail, if you are poor, if you are needy a Conservative Government will always look after you”
David Cameron, 4.5.2010.
I believe he repeated this at least once in his pre-election guff.
I'm not disabled myself but still bloody furious at what's going on.
So depressing. Unfortunately DC and IDS do not care. The only person who may be able to make a difference is the local MP's constituency secretary - they really can turn things round for individuals in this type of situation.
It's not you is it? Am worried!
Hail fellow benefits scrounger! I've go my medical assessment next week, after receiving a kidney transplant. They're going to decide that I'm fit for work, because at this moment I seem fit. Unfortunately my recent blood results appear to show a decline in my new kidney, which is terrifying in itself, as I WANT to be fit for work, but there's no way they can make a decision with my blood results as they are at the moment... but they will won't they, cos I can walk to the shops.. If my kidney DOES fail again, I'm dreading doing the whole claimant process all over again... This government are too busy persecuting the poor and ignoring the misdemeanours of the real criminals.
Benjamin Franklin : "A democracy is two wolves and a small lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote".
Tell what it is like to live and cope with chromic illness @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/26/chronic-illness-peoples-panel?INTCMP=SRCH
Joss
Post a Comment