Petition worth signing!

Yeah yeah, I know there are loads of these things going around. Most of them are really naff though, written by someone with half a brain who is angry over something so they've whipped up a really badly worded petition in five minutes, without thinking it through properly. This one is NOT one of those. This one is very well thought through, asks for what we seriously need, and should actually be taken seriously by parliament because of how it is written.

Personally, I have given up on parliament. I think they are throwing out everything that comes their way if it isn't in their interests. I think we no longer have a proper democratic government, but that's a totally different matter. It's worth trying, so please sign it.

Please sign here.

We call for:

A Cumulative Impact Assessment of all cuts and changes affecting sick & disabled people, their families and carers, and a free vote on repeal of the Welfare Reform Act.

An immediate end to the Work Capability Assessment, as voted for by the British Medical Association.

Consultation between the Depts of Health & Education to improve support into work for sick & disabled people, and an end to forced work under threat of sanctions for people on disability benefits.

An Independent, Committee-Based Inquiry into Welfare Reform, covering but not limited to: (1) Care home admission rises, daycare centres, access to education for people with learning difficulties, universal mental health treatments, Remploy closures; (2) DWP media links, the ATOS contract, IT implementation of Universal Credit; (3) Human rights abuses against disabled people, excess claimant deaths & the disregard of medical evidence in decision making by ATOS, DWP & the Tribunal Service.

I am unfamiliar with what an Impact Assessment is, but we do need someone unbiased to seriously look into why the cuts and changes to everything are affecting the sick and disabled so much more than the rich. Asking for the ability to vote on such changes is genius.

In case you are unaware, the British Medical Council voted that the Work Capability Assessment - that scary medical you're sent for if you wish to claim Employment & Support Allowance - be ended. I agree 100% with this request, though am uncertain of how practical it is. There needs to be something in place. Personally I'd appreciate it if they took the ESA50 and medical evidence seriously in the first place.

Again, I agree 100% with ending forced work for the sick and disabled. Personally, I want to work, and I like the idea of gradually being re-introduced to it. BUT I do not think it should be forced upon anyone, and am disgusted that they take away 70% of someone's benefit if they cannot make it to that work. The nature of being sick and disabled means they will be unable to attend at times.

And yes oh YES, please please can there be an inquiry into all of the above. Independent and unbiased. The problem I have with inquiries is that they nearly always find what the government to find though. Either that of the government just ignores them.

Ed to meet Sonia!!!

Please sign the petition:

Ed Miliband to Meet Sonia Poulton Re the WCA

The description of the petition is thus:

The WCA, administered by Atos Healthcare, continues to be exposed as a danger to the sick and disabled of this country, with accounts of its destructive effects now including suicides.Sonia Poulton has requested that Ed Miliband meet with her so she can hand over evidence that she has collected, including her original letter to him signed by over 6,000 people, and to briefly discuss the matter. Mr Miliband appears to be reluctant to do so. This campaign is to urge Mr Miliband to accept Ms Poulton's request, speaking as she does on behalf of the masses of powerless sick and disabled who are being crushed by this process.

Sonia Poulton wrote a very strong letter to Ed Miliband regarding the problems with the Work Capability Assessment, hoping that he would be able to step in on behalf of thousands of 'little people' who are suffering, even dying, countrywide. The letter was an open letter, enabling people to sign it online, adding their own stories or thoughts if they so wished. Sonia wished to hand the letter personally to Ed, ensuring that he saw the devastating comments people had added. However, he was on holiday when the letter was closed, and since the letter was online his staff had got wind of it. The result is that Sonia received a reply to the letter without actually handing it over. The reply suggested that she would be better off speaking to one of his ministers. This is an unsatisfactory result. I do not mean any disrespect to that minister, but fobbing off thousands of citizens on to another minitser because he ... what .. 'can't be bothered' isn't satisfactory. I am hoping that Ed Miliband can give Sonia, the letter, the thousands of people who signed it the respect that they .. we .. deserve. Below you will find a copy of the letter, so you know what it is you are signing about. The petition itself is for Ed Miliband to actually meet with Sonia. She is the one person who seems to have a unifying voice for the sick and disabled, laced with an understanding I have not seen from any other healthy, able bodied person.

Dear Mr. Miliband,

I am a UK-based journalist and broadcaster. Here is a link to my website. www.soniapoulton.co.uk.

On my site you will find all the media outlets that I contribute to across print, TV, radio and internet, nationally and internationally.

I am prompted to write to you having just watched these two programmes on the subject of ‘fit to work’ testing for sick and disabled people: Channel 4′s Dispatches (‘Britain On The Sick’) and BBC2′s Panorama (‘Disabled or Faking it’).

This year, as a writer, I have been made painfully aware of how distressing, unreliable and costly – both physically and emotionally – the Work Capability Assessment is for those undertaking it.

The financial cost to the country is another concern altogether.

I am aware that Employment minister Chris Grayling has made much capital from blaming Labour for the introduction of this system, administered by ATOS. Equally, Mr. Grayling has made it clear that he views the Coalition’s implementation of the process as preferable, and less harsh, than that carried out under the Labour government.

WCA, clearly, is beset with problems. The ATOS assessor, captured undercover in C4′s programme, referred to it as ‘Toxic’. It was made clear that it was designed to reduce benefit recipients. Chris Grayling continues to deny there are targets. I am less inclined to believe him.

The test, at best, is unquestionably inadequate and not fit-for-purpose. Even the Government’s own adviser, before he resigned, described it as ‘patchy’. At worst, it is downright disadvantageous to those who are subject to it.

For many people the horror of the ATOS test has been the worst kept secret for years. Sadly, others have been less fortunate and are no longer here to register their misery. There currently exists a known demographic of people who have died after being found ‘fit to work’. Are you aware of this?

This year doctors at the British Medical Association have opposed WCA. Those who endure it have opposed it. Even the occasional newspaper and TV programme dares to oppose it. As a Social Commentator, I certainly have.

Why, then, has Labour – under your leadership – not opposed it? Should I assume that you support it?

I am disturbed by what I view as a dangerous trend in our country. There is a clear demonisation of sick and disabled people, routinely labelled as ‘scroungers’ by the media, and driven by frequently skewed statistics issued by the DWP.

Meanwhile, the incidences of attacks on sick and disabled has risen. Disabled people are more in fear for their safety than at any other time in recent history. I believe that there is a direct correlation between the resentment whipped up about ‘spongers’ and the physical assaults taking place.

Surely this is not acceptable to you. It certainly isn’t acceptable to me.The names listed below this letter are from people who support the core message contained within it. Like me these are concerned citizens. Some are directly affected by issues of sickness and disability, others are not.

For my part, I am healthy, able-bodied and work full-time but I believe it is my duty to support those who need help. I believe that is a duty of us all. Including the Labour party.

Sickness and disability can happen at any time and to any one of us. I would like to think that others would also support me in my hour of need.

I believe what we need in this country is more compassion, not less. The WCA is unacceptable for a progressive country and it is a clear failure. The money spent on the appeals process confirms that, quite aside from the human misery it costs.

I have just heard that Tom Greatrex, MP, has secured a Westminster Hall debate on September 4 with regard ATOS and WCA. I ask you, Mr. Miliband, can we count on you to take a long overdue stance in support of our sick and disabled?

I do hope so. I look forward to your response.

Best wishes,

Sonia Poulton

Call to Ed Milliband to support the sick and disabled

"Please support Sonia Poulton's call to Ed Milliband to support the sick and disabled.

Read her letter, and sign if you agree with her. She will deliver the letter to Ed Milliband personally."

Sign here

It's a live document, which means people are signing it at the same time, so please be careful not to type in the middle of someone elses writing (like I did to start with).

The letter Sonia wishes you to read, and sign your support for is below:

"Dear Mr. Miliband,

I am a UK-based journalist and broadcaster. Here is a link to my website. http://www.soniapoulton.co.uk. On my site you will find all the media outlets that I contribute to across print, TV, radio and internet, nationally and internationally.

I am prompted to write to you having just watched these two programmes on the subject of ‘fit to work’ testing for sick and disabled people: Channel 4′s Dispatches (‘Britain On The Sick’) and BBC2′s Panorama (‘Disabled or Faking it’).

This year, as a writer, I have been made painfully aware of how distressing, unreliable and costly – both physically and emotionally – the Work Capability Assessment is for those undertaking it. The financial cost to the country is another concern altogether.

I am aware that Employment minister Chris Grayling has made much capital from blaming Labour for the introduction of this system, administered by ATOS. Equally, Mr. Grayling has made it clear that he views the Coalition’s implementation of the process as preferable, and less harsh, than that carried out under the Labour government.

WCA, clearly, is beset with problems. The ATOS assessor, captured undercover in C4′s programme, referred to it as ‘Toxic’. It was made clear that it was designed to reduce benefit recipients. Chris Grayling continues to deny there are targets. I am less inclined to believe him.

The test, at best, is unquestionably inadequate and not fit-for-purpose. Even the Government’s own adviser, before he resigned, described it as ‘patchy’. At worst, it is downright disadvantageous to those who are subject to it.

For many people the horror of the ATOS test has been the worst kept secret for years. Sadly, others have been less fortunate and are no longer here to register their misery. There currently exists a known demographic of people who have died after being found ‘fit to work’. Are you aware of this?

This year doctors at the British Medical Association have opposed WCA. Those who endure it have opposed it. Even the occasional newspaper and TV programme dares to oppose it. As a Social Commentator, I certainly have.

Why, then, has Labour – under your leadership – not opposed it? Should I assume that you support it? I am disturbed by what I view as a dangerous trend in our country. There is a clear demonisation of sick and disabled people, routinely labelled as ‘scroungers’ by the media, and driven by frequently skewed statistics issued by the DWP.

Meanwhile, the incidences of attacks on sick and disabled has risen. Disabled people are more in fear for their safety than at any other time in recent history. I believe that there is a direct correlation between the resentment whipped up about ‘spongers’ and the physical assaults taking place. Surely this is not acceptable to you. It certainly isn’t acceptable to me.

The names listed below this letter are from people who support the core message contained within it. Like me these are concerned citizens. Some are directly affected by issues of sickness and disability, others are not.

For my part, I am healthy, able-bodied and work full-time but I believe it is my duty to support those who need help. I believe that is a duty of us all. Including the Labour party.

Sickness and disability can happen at any time and to any one of us. I would like to think that others would also support me in my hour of need.

I believe what we need in this country is more compassion, not less. The WCA is unacceptable for a progressive country and it is a clear failure. The money spent on the appeals process confirms that, quite aside from the human misery it costs.

I have just heard that Tom Greatrex, MP, has secured a Westminster Hall debate on September 4 with regard ATOS and WCA. I ask you, Mr. Miliband, can we count on you to take a long overdue stance in support of our sick and disabled, too?

I do hope so. I look forward to your response.

Best wishes, Sonia Poulton"

Petition re Benefits

If you click the title it'll take you to the petition. I'm not entirely clear on what the petition is trying to achieve, but I agree with what it says, and if there's any chance of it making a difference I'm all for it.

In the name of austerity, the UK Government is slashing benefits which sick and disabled people rely on to be able to function in our homes and communities. The results are truly horrific.

Jamal died within 3 weeks of undergoing an assessment where he was told he was fit to work. He was not the only one. Other people's conditions have deteriorated badly from the stress of it all. And those of us who have not yet had to face these assessments live in fear.

Lucy was stripped of her benefits by ATOS (the company paid millions to cut the welfare bill) and before her appeal could even be heard, she had lost her home. Too many people to name, with mental health problems, have committed suicide when they have been told they are fit to work; some just on receiving the letter telling them they had to go for an assessment.

Andrew’s MS caused him to lose his job and though he went on re-training courses, he couldn’t find another, because his hands had gone numb. But ATOS found him ‘fit to work’ and now he has no car, next to nothing to live on and no way forward.

Jenny lives in remote rural village and depended on her car to reach local shops and her friends. But she was told she no longer qualified for mobility benefits and her car was taken away immediately. She was stranded, with a wait of many months before her appeal could be heard. Even if she is successful, she will have to apply and pay for a new car on the Motability scheme.

The biggest tragedy of all is that society will no longer be able to benefit from our skills, experience and insight. Amongst disabled people there are talented artists, scientists, researchers…you name it, all wanting to contribute.

I was lucky, because I had the support of benefits, in particular a car, all my adult life. It meant I could go to university, gain professional qualifications and become a respected consultant and trainer, in demand nationally. It meant I could pay taxes!

If you think that is how it should be, NOT being reduced to utter dependency, please sign this petition. The current situation must not be allowed to continue. Together, we can force the government to rethink these harsh and unnecessary cuts.

Sign your life away .. please

Got a bee in your bonnet? Want to kick up a fuss about something, but kind of quietly without anyone noticing? Let's sign some petitions! One of the members on one of the M.E. groups has been doing a grand job of finding petitions about Atos Healthcare. None of them are worded ideally, but if we get enough signatures on all of them hopefully the message will get through to parliament that something needs to be done.

Atos Medical Examinations

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
The Atos Group should be Terminated. They do not carry out fair assessments, they ask you set questions set by this Government, they don't listen and above all fail in their duties towards people who are genuinly disabled and mentally ill. You as a Government need to listen and stop messing with peoples lives. Otherwise the votes will go the other way.

Stop using Atos and private profit driven companies to assess the disability and health of benefit claimants.

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
For the chronically sick and disabled, the current system of assessment is inadequate and makes many peoples conditions worse and causes undue stress and upset. I, as a person with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, would ask the government to stop using Atos, who are driven by profit. This obviously creates a conflict of interest. To once again rely on specialist evidence from doctors and consultants as opposed to tick box evidence from non specialist privately employed individuals.

Stop the changes to DLA (disablity living allowance)

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
Stop the stressful benefit tests to those claimants on DLA (disability living allowance), ESA (employment and support allowance) and for current incapacity claiments and for alll those claiments on passport benefits relating to incapcity benefit. Changes have already been made after the independent Harrington review last year, which concluded the tests were not working as well as they should and needed to be made fairer and more effective. The report noted the "high rate of appeals" against findings, and said that cases overturned by "first tier" appeals between October 2008 and August 2009 were "consistently around 40%".

stop unfair re-assessments for disabled people

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
Stop the unfair and cruel re-assessments via ATOS for disabled people currently on Incapacity Benefit. ESA is a flawed benefit, and puts terrible pressure and stress on vulnerable people, putting people who cannot work on lesser benefits and applying sanctions. Let disabled people decide for themselves if they can work, they and their carers know best.

David Cameron to apologise for misrepresenting incapacity benefit claimant figures and end Atos' role in assessments

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
The undersigned ask that the House debate the notion that David Cameron should apologise for misrepresenting incapacity benefit claimant figures by not including results of successful appeals or those who have been excluded from the process because it is either too distressing for them or because they cannot physically attend an assessment. The undersigned also ask that the debate considers whether French private IT company, Atos' role in assessments should be ended and the process handed over to British medical professionals who are not driven by targets or profits.

ATOS assessments

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions
We are concerned by reports of a high number of genuinely ill and disabled people, including those who are terminally ill, wrongly being declared fit for work by ATOS medical assessors. These errors cause hardship and distress to some of the most vulnerable members of society and cost the tax payer large sums in appeals. We therefore petition the government to look into the process of these medical assessments and ensure that the necessary changes are made to create a fair system that protects the sick and disabled.