To Think Rishi is Delusional

[Sunshineguy]

The Prime Minister wants people to shrug off increased ill health. Is he delusional? Fatigue is categorized as a mental health issue for long term disability benefits. Fatigue is also the most common symptom of Long Covid. Is Rishi right to say we're a nation of shirkers? Or is he ignoring the presence of a new virus that is disabling people? Has your health improved or worsened since Covid arrived?

It also depends very much on where you are in the country, though. In some parts of the country there are virtually no jobs at all, certainly not enough for the local people. You might say 'well move then', but mass movement of people brings many other issues, and let's me honest, we don't house most people anywhere whether they can pay for it or not.

They do not care! No one should imagine they do!

The mistake is to imagine discussing this as an issue means there is some humane idea to resolve it. There is not.

It is called no help and work where you can. Red meat for the Mail and the Telegraph readers

I would be interested to hear what Labour’s stance is on this. Whether people on MN agree with Sunak or not, there is a majority of people who think something has to be put in place to address the current situation with people increasingly relying on benefits or other financial government support, rather than support being put in place to get people back into the workplace. If Labour are happy with the current status quo, they’re going to have a problem with a lot of voters, because the same old situation will come into play, whereby the ‘middle’ earners are going to be their go to cash cow. There’s only so much they can squeeze out of the higher earners.

Remember 20 years ago when there used to be dozens of businesses providing a range of services and products? They aren't around anymore as everything's been swallowed by a handful of huge companies. Most of the work people do generates wealth that is largely funneled back to these and they drip out a few measley salaries back into the economy. Nothing has been invested in by the government or these companies. No infrastructure, nothing. The government takes some of this wealth and tries to put in back into the economy in the form of benefits (because yes, benefit recipients generally.apend their money and keep the economy hoping just like everyone else) but most of it I'd jisg swallowed by the companies again and nothing is invested in. The conpanies grow like tumours and the country shrivels like a cancer patient. If you would like this to continue, please vote Conservative.

I have never voted Conservative and never will, but I assume he is referring to the fact that work and school absence has risen markedly. Not all of that increase can be attributed to long covid or mental health issues arising from it, though clearly both factors have an impact. There is more health anxiety around though (as a manager I see this) and maybe more feeling that work, school etc is not the be all and end all. So people are more likely to cosset themselves or their children.

Fatigue is categorized as a mental health issue for long term disability benefits

Is it? Do you have a source for this? Just curious as I have chronic fatigue but it's most definitely not categorised as a mental health issue (I get PIP and it's very clear that my fatigue is a physical health issue). It's the main symptom of POTS, which is why I suffer with it.

I work with people being awarded PIP and Attendance Allowance. Even many of those are surprised at the amounts especially the older people who all seem to be awarded higher rate AA at £108 a week when they often have 100k in the bank. They almost look embarrassed and ask if it's correct. Goodness knows what they think they were applying for - we do explain ! There's not even an assessment for AA. the system is ludicrous. Something needs to happen with both systems. My colleagues reckon they will try to do away with AA soon due to the cost and maybe just put a bit more on the state pension given that almost all older people over 75 ish seem to be claiming it.

I think more people with mental health problems and disabilities could do some work but they need treatment, support & understanding employers!

We have none of these atm! Endless waiting lists, complete lack of mental health treatment, employers, even the Govt ending WFH & forcing people in to office with impossible commutes!

If the Govt were going to fix this, great but they aren't are they?

It's a bit of a dead cat story as they won't have time to implement this before they are booted out but it has taken our attention away from the latest Tory MP sleaze, taxpayer rip off scandal!

Excatly. people are worrying unnecessarily as it will not happen.

Oh I don't know, maybe they will get a few votes from Reforn if they pretend they will do something like make the new policy a stern telling off and all the gruel you can eat. It's a pretty desperate

Something will though. No matter who gets in. Labour are just quiet. The IMF has said this is a big issue and needs sorting. The next government cannot afford to do nothing. That will impact all sorts. Not least who will lend to the gov and at what rates. Simply doing nothing isn’t an option. Labour also know this.

If £400 per month is generous you are welcome to try it.

Most people are not getting just £400 ! You have to basically be single with a mortgage and no health problems to be getting that.

The highest rate of PIP is £690 (although may rise shortly with the inflation increase)

To get that you have to have to have severe disabilities. Many are not able to live independently or walk at all.

Carers/treatments/therapies etc.. all bring significant costs. You don't get that £690 in your hand as half is taken to pay a mobility vehicle which is often specially adapted.

So in reality you get £400 to pay for all costs that people without disabilities don't have. Family members have to care 24/7 for the princely sum of £81 per week. We save this country millions. I think the system is already unfair enough without taking money from the most vulnerable.

You do get it all in your hands. I’m on full PiP, I don’t have a vehicle as l can’t leave the house.

And you can choose whether you want a vehicle or not. It’s not a criteria for getting it.

That’s if your family can even access carer’s allowance of £81 per week. My grandparents cared pretty much full time for me at one stage, I lived an hour away too so they had to travel several times a week, but they were told that they couldn’t receive carer’s allowance because they also received a very basic government pension and would have to give that up. Equally, I receive carer’s allowance for my DD but it’s taken straight back off me again by UC. Carer’s allowance is one of the benefits I actually believe shouldn’t be means tested and shouldn’t be deducted from any other money coming in etc because it would cost the government a hell of a lot more if family members stopped doing it!

As I said you don't if you need a mobility vehicle.

Without them many people are permanently housebound.

Very true

It's an absolute disgrace that CA is means tested. Many carers face abject poverty in their old age.

Having helped a neighbour through her PIP assessment and appeal, I know how difficult it is to get long term disability benefit in the UK. It's worrying that the figure has risen so much and I'm not sure the government’s plans will address the core issue, which seems to be a sicker population.

I agree with this. My friend's son has a rare genetic disorder which left him virtually quadriplegic by the age of 12. He requires 24h care. Despite this, he was able to study and is now in full time employment. What allowed him to do that is provision of assistive equipment and software. Grants to cover 24/7 PAs to attend university and live independently and an extremely supportive and flexible employer. He works from home, in his bed doing fancy computer stuff on a machine which is controlled by voice and eye movements. None of this was funded by the government, I must say.
While there are undoubtfully people exploiting the benefits situation, there are many many more who want to work but don't have sufficient support in place. I think most disabled people are able to work in some capacity, given the support. But the government's approach is to "encourage" people to work through punitive measures rather than actually investing in systems which allow people with disabilities to participate in gainful employment. They don't seem to understand the difference between capacity and capability.

If a homeless man can be in business then of course a disabled person can do things that their disability would preclude.
Magical thinking all the way rishi you fu(king prick

this

He didn't say people should shrug off increased ill health.

Utter bollocks.