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Original poster

Discrimination on Mumsnet

33 replies

PIPinghell · 07/02/2020 16:58

Dear MNHQ

I would like to ask you about the benefits bashing threads that pop up on Mumsnet on a regular basis. Obviously, I believe in free speech etc., but I feel these threads are discriminatory and stereotype a certain group of people.

Comb through any of these threads and you will find the same themes. Accusations of benefits claimants being feckless scroungers who spend their money on booze, fags, big TVs, Sky etc. Accusations that disabled people “fake it” so that they can nab a “free car” and so on.

Threads which stereotype, marginalise and “other” people should not be tolerated (and usually aren’t, as far as I can tell) and IMHO this should include the benefits bashing threads.

I would be grateful for your thoughts.

Peace and love.

PIPinghell

OP posts:
Original poster
PIPinghell · 07/02/2020 17:43

1.6 % of PIP claims are fraudulant. That's tiny. More money is underpaid to PIP claimants than overpaid. In 2018/19 £400 million was UNDER paid compared to £170 million overpaid though fraud.

OP posts:
TheMemoryLingers · 07/02/2020 17:40

There was a recent spate of very obviously goady threads inviting benefits bashing and MNHQ zapped them when they were reported, so I would recommend reporting any threads which are clearly set up to goad.

Samcro · 07/02/2020 17:35

See last poster backs up op
Disabled benefit fraud is very low.
I do see where you are coming from op.

Divebar · 07/02/2020 17:27

Well people do fake their disabilities - they get convicted of benefit fraud quite regularly. It diverts crucial finding away from people with genuine disabilities and surely is something that should be identified and stamped out?

Original poster
PIPinghell · 07/02/2020 17:15

Growingboys my husband is disabled and I have seen plenty of threads about people faking their disability etc. Plenty. Mumsnet will be aware of some of the threads as they have deleted a number over the years.

There are a couple of threads that are stealth benefits bashing running at the moment, but I am not going to link to them as that may end up with this thread being deleted because a TAAT is not allowed.

OP posts:
Kirkman · 07/02/2020 17:09

I have never seen anyone claim all people on benefits are scroungers.

Maybe link the thread where it says this.

Growingboys · 07/02/2020 17:08

My child is disabled and I've never come across accusations such as those you describe OP. Think I would have noticed.

Divebar · 07/02/2020 17:06

I think you would be advised to link to the relevant threads or quote some actual comments to support your assertion. It’s all a bit vague.