TO SAY Camerons Policies are in danger of getting all disabled people labelled as "Scroungers"

[ScousyFogarty]

That is a wicked thing do do and David Cameron beeds to apologise or more likely get one of his flunkies to say SORRY

I still maintain leave the disability benefits alone. They are not the only Welfare benefits existing.

Getting ft school requires a statement of special educational needs. The mainstream school can't cope and a special school needs this statement. However our LEA because of the cuts [!] are reluctant to spend the money writing a statement so we're stuck.

I also maintain trust the doctors and consultants reports. They are experts in their field. Do not put decision making responsibility for disability benefits into the hands of a private company employed by the government with an agenda to get people off the benefit regardless of need.

ATOS have 40% of their decisions overturned on ESA. Does that sound competent to you?

Another thing to consider is that although you may believe that families like mine should get help, and thank you for that, we will get swept up in the draconian measures designed to deal with those deemed 'less deserving'.

The policy is flawed, and this is what we are protesting about. Those of us on these benefits despise cheats and frauds as they make our lives that bit tougher.

I agree RE other benefits and other ways to rob Peter to pay Paul.
Glitter my ds has a statement and has been since 2yo but as he is a child that is incapable of listening/complying etc he's not worth the extra, however the day they institutionalise him he will cost a lot more.

I also agree about cheats and frauds.

That's just it. Full time institutionalisation for my three would be £4.5k a week, so the quarter of a million I stated earlier.

I have another 3 with disabilities/SEN who we are not claiming any benefits for, 2 of those are also special school.

jade80 sounds like a typical Tory. 'Well, that sounds very bad and good luck to you but, you know, cuts have to be made due to the state of the economy and we are all in this together and count your blessings that you live in the UK with such a marvellous welfare system blah blah blah'

So, bigtuna, what's your solution? Or are you just here to chuck ill considered insults?

Sadly I know doctors can be fooled. I know someone who used to work in mental health. The job was not well paid. He said when he was in work he would be better off in DLA so he was going to fake mental health problems. He knew enough to fake convincingly and has been on DLA for 4 years.

I know someone else who is a hypochondriac - which must be difficult - but has nothing actually wrong with her. She spent 2 years going to different GP's/Consultants until she got one to agree that she did have an undiagnosed illness and is now on DLA.

So I'm sorry I don't think consultants and Dr's always get it right.
Although I know there are lots of people getting DLA who genuinely need it.

Ok, so two at a time?
I've needed to give GP AND consultant reports.
I can't see anyone getting multiple experts to agree.

I think chronically ill and disabled people are made to jump through too many hoops when they often don't have the stamina to be able to do this without lots of stress. But sorry I know the man who faked mental health problems managed to do this convingcinly because that way he would be better off financially.

It is possible to fake it - especially with mental health problems. And I hate the fact that this happens. My partner has bipolar so I do have some understanding of what serious mental illness is like.

You know I sat in the CAB once and using the benefit chart on the wall worked out we would be better off if my dh was on the dole, but his job keeps him sane.

I agree that it is better to work. But not everyone takes this view point.

jade80, I was only quoting what you'd said more or less and it is a typical right wing response. Just saying it as I see it.

I haven't a clue what the answer is and I know cuts would have to be made whoever was in government but focussing on the poor and vulnerable and turning them into scapegoats is abhorrent.

And your questioning of Glitta concerning her circumstances comes across as incredibly patronising. It may be unintentional but that's how it reads to me.

Oh, and anecdotes about how people know people who are claiming fraudulently do my nut in. If you think they're committing benefit fraud then report them! Some bloke with a bad back or pretending to be mental doesn't mean the whole system is corrupt.

I think disability campaigners have got it wrong on the "perception" side of the argument. I've heard it argued this morning that highlighting the issue will make people think all disability claimants are under suspicion. I disagree: I think disability claimants are under suspicion while there is so much fraud, and exposing the fraud will mean people are more likely to understand that disability claimants are indeed in need.

plus even with carers allowance you are allowed to earn so much per week. How can I do that when I have my ds 24/7 so again thank the DLA....................For those not in our position DLA is not enough to cover my disabled sons outgoings, needs etc as well as our losses as a family. Everybody thinks DLA will cover it but it barely scratches the surface.

BigTuna - No it doesn't mean the whole system is corrupt. But it was suggested above that of course the GP and Consultant will get it right. But they don't always. People do fake it.

I agree with you gooseberry.

bigtuna she wasn't just questioning glitter

Read it how you like, you're wrong. I just hope glitter didn't take it that way, she didn't seem to as she has come back with good and interesting replies. She has brought something to this discussion, you haven't. So as far as I'm concerned, you can bring something to the table like most other posters here have done, or do one.

Dev, I hope you didn't take offence either. I am genuinely interested in the topic hence my questions.

I can see how someone my take the questions as patronising even aggressive, however the disclaimer was there
I can see that all sounds very expensive. I want to ask a few questions to understand better though, please don't take offence, and don't answer if you don't want to.
Are you genuinely interested in the cuts or disability?? If anyone wants to support cuts to disability, I don't mind people walking in my shoes for however long it takes them to realise DLA isn't enough, never mind take it away.

Yes I did try to explain why I was asking. Glad you weren't offended. It is very easy to make sweeping statements without finding out more, which I was trying to avoid doing. Thank you for understanding and for answering my questions. The thing is, if DLA isn 't enough, it needs improving (esp. as this may save money in long term), which necessitates extra cuts elsewhere. I can think of a few places I'd like to see those cuts made, and tbh DLA would certainly not be first on my list for cuts. Although it sounds like some of the people responsible for the system could do with cutting!