@runningawaywiththecircus I’m very sorry for your losses, but must admit I don’t understand how the losses were due to browns governance - but very open to being educated on this. FWIW I’m not and never was a fan of new labour considering them Tory lite to be honest.
@kungfupanda67 your post at 1606 is so ignorant and so offensive I barely know where to start with it! The vast majority of people who are on benefits due to disability ARE genuine they are the hardest benefits to get.
In addition addiction IS an illness, I have a family stuffed with addicts of various types, I have my own issues regarding their addiction and do think that there’s an element of personal choice involved in the very early stages BUT it’s a massively complex condition with many factors including genetics and environment. I have huge admiration for those family members who are actively in recovery and working to resist their addiction every day, I see how hard it is for them.
You won't cure addiction, depression or any other mental or physical illness by removing funds. You cannot starve someone into getting better. Exactly! I too live in an area where addiction is rife yet addiction and mental health services have been cut to the bone - that helps nobody, not the addicts themselves, the people & agencies that are here desperately trying to address the issue OR those affected indirectly as a result eg their families, those they might steal from to feed the addiction (and before anyone says it OF COURSE I’m not saying those actions are excusable or defendable but it’s a known and predictable consequence).
Treatment and rehabilitation is old fashioned in this country. totally agree.
Not everyone with disability can or would benefit from working. But even those who could - do you even understand that this govt has actually made it much much harder for disabled people to get and maintain a job? Removing transport, removing funding both from the disabled directly and from employers in order for eg adaptations to be made to workplaces, removal of rights, removal of support systems...
Hell even just the actual lack of jobs! contrary to their claims unemployment in real terms has increased. Although even according to their own figures there are more jobseekers (NOT including disabled btw) than there are jobs.
They’re doing and have done NOTHING to create jobs or to make current jobs more accessible to the disabled.
“It would also be helpful if you could realise that many people voted Tory because they believe that they are the best party to shore up our economy which, in turn, ought to help the least advantaged in our society.” A belief that has soundly and repeatedly been shown to be a myth.
@kljnmw3459 it’s not just anger though that’s part of it - in my experience and based on how I feel it’s fear. From the arguably low level fear of the letterbox going and yet another brown envelope dropping right up to the fear that bad as things have been they’re about to get so much worse which is terrifying. I suffer mainly from mental illness, I have severe ocd, and associated agoraphobia, anxiety and depression. I’m a well educated ex civil servant and nurse who knows better than most how the system is SUPPOSED to work, I also hold 2 degrees, post graduate qualifications, had extensive civil service training, am articulate and cognitively pretty able, in addition I have a kind and proactive gp who’s been trying to help too - and yet despite all of that I have been unable to access the help and support I desperately need. I’ve had zero support from mental health services since April of this year, I’ve had 2 appointments cancelled and am awaiting a call to reschedule again which likely won’t be until January now and may well be not until end of January. I dread to think how the hell anyone mentally ill who isn’t as fortunate to have the experience and knowledge I do and who perhaps also lack cognitive abilities or even have something as minor as a speech impediment is managing to get even close to getting the support they need.
I WAS under the care of a key worker until April but was cut off from the service - in all those months despite numerous phone calls, letters, the use of advocates and even starting down the road of a formal complaint I have NEVER been given an explanation as to WHY I was cut off let alone an apology! And it certainly wasn’t because I was remotely well enough to be discharged!
THAT is the reality of what is happening and from discussions in real life, on here and on mental health discussion forum it is happening all over the country.
My daughter is supposed to have a review of her condition twice a year, she hasn’t had any this year and hasn’t even been able to get an appointment to update her orthotics.
A friend who has had both hips replaced following an accident years ago and who was supposed to have had at least one replaced again this year is still awaiting even the initial assessment appointment despite her gp chasing numerous times. She is in agony daily and has had to quit her job.
NOT scare stories
THIS IS WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.
You may be sick of the criticism but criticism is NOTHING compared to the suffering and hardship being caused by this govts policies.
“I’d really like you to unpack that a bit. Because it’s certainly not my perception, having lived through all her governments.” Seconded.
As for the examples/comments about Tory voters donating to food banks or supporting even starting other charities - that’s nothing more than pathetic lip service and conscience salving. If they hadn’t voted Tory in the first place many of those they’re making such a show of helping (and it is a show given the way these posters have described how they know) wouldn’t need charitable support.
“There is always, always enough money within any developed country for the needs of all.” Hear hear!
There may be a finite amount of money but it’s where it’s placed that’s deeply worrying! Millionaires don’t need tax breaks, billionaire companies don’t need their wages bill subsidised by state top ups to low paid employees...
There’s also issues of poor management and corruption in certain areas - i’m particularly thinking of the nhs and procurement here.
The impact of that [right to buy policy] took until labour were in power to hit but it would have hit had tories been in also. totally agree