Written evidence submitted by M Bernard
I speak as a carer for a disabled relative, about
to be put through the transfer from Incapacity Benefit to ESA
who has grave concerns about this whole process, and the impact
on the disabled community, who are suffering as a group from a
distinct lack of protection from Government and a duty of care.
Their human rights are being eroded, which is a sad and worrying
state of affairs for a modern civilised country to be connected
with. We should be cherishing those that need our help, not traumatising
them by threats and punishments. If all the people currently living
independently in the community are forced into institutions by
these measures, how will this Government be seen by others, and
where are all these institutions? I don't want to see disabled
people begging on street corners in this country, or on back-wards
of hospitals, don't let this Government take away their dignity
and rights, and turn back the progress made.
— 1. The
whole process from start to finish is almost designed to terrify
the most vulnerable people who receive the initial notification
letters and forms. Disabled and sick people should not be put
under such strain, and speaking as a carer who is anticipating
this process I feel terrified too. So much is at stake, for people
who are only just coping now. The support offered I believe will
be very patchy, and with so many people being reassessed together
there will not be enough time to look after everyone, even if
it were the intention.
— 2. The
Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is designed I believe to catch
people out, and vulnerable people will very often say things that
can be misconstrued or perverted to fit the tick-box culture of
the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). Atos are paid by results
and the results they seek are to get as many people off benefits
as possible, their judgements and techniques are tarnished by
profits, they have no interest in the person in front of them,
they do not know the person's history, they are computer driven
operatives, well-paid and detached from human misery. The centres
of examination are processing plants for the vulnerable to be
led through and out the other side, impersonal and scary places
for people both physically and mentally to be put through.
— 3. People
would have more confidence in the system if it was not run by
a money making enterprise like Atos, and that evidence was taken
from a claimants, records, medical history, GP reports, other
medical people involved with the claimant, carers both from outside
agencies and their own personal carers, and more importantly from
the person themselves, who knows better than anyone, if they have
any hope of working again. Many more people should be exempt from
this process, and should be told that as soon as possible so that
they can stop worrying, which in many cases is causing their condition
to worsen.
— 4. Appeals
should be much more straight forward and quicker, people shouldn't
be left for weeks not knowing their fate. As soon as an appeal
is lodged, they should know how long they will have to wait for
a decision. Their benefit should remain intact in every regard,
until the appeal is resolved. Then the decision should be given
in clear language and as positively as possible, with as much
help as required for the individual and their carer as possible.
— 5. The
whole ESA benefit is deeply flawed even Professor Gregg has said
this. More people need to be in a safe place, not enough people
are in the support group, and those in the Work Related Activity
Group (WRAG) groups are placed in a deeply insecure and stressful
situation. Not fit to work but having to jump through hoops, and
then after a year dumped on Jobseekers Allowance, losing benefits
and support, and who knows the roof over their heads too. Constant
re-assessment is cruel and costly, people can never relax, always
having to prove their disability or illness, for fear of losing
benefits. The disabled community should not be put through this
terrible ordeal, they should not be lumped together and treated
as if they do not have special needs eg asking a blind person
if they are still blind is the ultimate cruelty.
— 6. I
believe the national roll-out should be halted, until everyone
is satisfied with the findings of this investigation. I also believe
that ESA should be scrapped and the existing benefits in place
for disabled and long-term sick should be left in place essentially,
but reviewed in a totally different and fairer way.
March 2011
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