There's also been a very negative media propoganda campaign worthy of any historical dictator since this gov got into office and an almost total blackout of factual information on what disability really means to ordinary individual lives.
For instance VERY few people I have spoken to IRL realise that DLA is a benefit claimable whether or not a claimant is in work. In many cases it funds the physiotherapy etc needed for a claimant to remain in work.
Few people understand ESA and how it differs from DLA, or that ATOS is costing a fortune in tribunal appeals, and is banned in several US states, so shoddy is their practice.
Gerald Celante is quoted as saying "when people have nothing to lose, they lose it!". Sadly I see a sharp increase in suicides/ abandonment/abuse etc as the disabled and their carers (£55 a week for 24/7 duties and no pension) are pushed to the limits over the coming years. The costs to society and the state will be far higher than perhaps we can yet envisage, especially as all of us are but one illness or acident away from disability.
In the years I paid tax at 40% I never remember minding it being spent on societies most vulnerable. I think the government may find that more people than they expect feel a similar way when the true human cost of their current policies become more apparent to the "average, decent working joe". We have an unspoken agreement in this country - in return for high taxes, we expect to retain a basic standard of living and dignity should we fall ill. Once that compact is understood to have been broken, it will be interesting to se how the general public reacts.