The wrong sort of change

We all want to feel secure

We all want a decent quality of life and to feel secure. We want the security of knowing we can take care of ourselves and our family, but at times we all need support to do that – from our NHS, to pensions, to child benefits, and support if we become unwell or disabled. How we take care of each other says a lot about the country we want to be.

Recently the social security system – our safety net for tough times - has been under threat, and many more Disabled people, and people facing health problems, are facing poverty as a result.

A report this week from the Tony Blair Institute recommends bypassing proper parliamentary scrutiny and removing support by stealth. This would bar large numbers of disabled people from accessing social security until doctors can confirm a diagnosis, or their health deteriorates. It is a shocking attack on our society’s safety net.

Disabled people’s organisations and charities have reacted furiously, branding the report “deeply unhelpful”, “ill-informed”, and the proposals “crude”.

The DWP told press that ministers would “consider the TBI’s report”.

Social security is an absurd and brutal maze

Our social security systems do need improving – they are an absurd and often brutal maze to navigate.

Disabled people recently shared the challenges of Work Capability Assessments, appointments that decide if someone can or can’t work or prepare for work.

We heard from a person refused help just because they attended the assessment, a person told they were ineligible because they managed their health appointments, and many people made to divulge deeply personal medical records that were then ignored.

They bravely shared their experiences to help rewrite the system, until it works for everyone.

“The fact I attended the assessment was used as evidence I was able to travel to work.”

“I live with a mental health condition but was assessed by a physiotherapist. [They] reported that I wasn't rocking, so clearly didn't have a mental health issue.”

“The healthcare professional lied about what I said. [But it was] later proven in court.” 

Changing social security

It’s clear that the social security system is not working, but the proposals in the report this week try to push changes onto people without any discussion.

Most of us want to have a say in how our lives are run, but as Disabled people, we are often left out of decisions that affect us, including the way the social security system works.

We say ‘nothing about us without us’. Disabled people, people who access social security and policy-makers must work together to create a system that allows Disabled people to live our lives, with the opportunities we need to thrive, in a community that includes us, and a society that values and respects us.