Frank Field appeared on News24 Hardtalk today and his frankness about the failure and timidity in reforming the welfare system was honest and frustrating. To summarise: (1)despite the New Deal "Neets" are higher now than 10 years ago and (2)He predicted at its inception the gross unfairness of a system that punishes genuine "hard working" families - the tax credit system.

Finally, the problem with the DLA benefit is that it is designed by well meaning people with little or no experience of life within welfare dependent areas. My own extended family could quite easily have walked straight out of an episode of Shameless. The completion of their DLA forms is like a cottage industry in which claimants swap ideas on how best to exagerate their ailments. Also the internet has a thriving community of claimants who are only to happy to assist claimants with their form completion. The latest money spinner is to claim for their offsprings behavioural problems - this brings in about £400 per month including carers allowance.

When will David Cameron start addressing this problem? It is an election winner.

Posted by: jimmy mcquillan at May 28, 2007 11:38 PM

As a doctor I used to see at least 2 patients a day (and this was in an affluent area) having their sick notes extended for their long term sickness. As far as I could make out, there was no reason for their years off sick. They were perfectly capable of working - perhaps not in their original jobs (perhaps it made them depressed, or they are at risk of exacerbating a back problem - but perfectly capable of doing many many jobs.
But the system meant that you didn't challenge the original doctor's decision to sign them off. And it continues, for years or decades. they don't have to work, and they get more money than unemployment benefit offers - perfect for the lazy of society. And doctors don't want to ruin the doctor patient relationship - as it is your own doctor who signs you off- so the situation continues.
I am no longer a GP, but my colleagues tell me it is much much worse now. And the population is getting healthier for every age group - and only the working age population are recorded.
It is clear that only indepedent, specifically trained doctors should sign people off if requiring more than a month. There should also be a system that describes what work someone is capable of, if not capable of all work.
The fact is that NuLab have perpetuated this as: (1) it suits to have people dependent on the state - they are more likely to vote Labour, and (2) it gives the impression that unemployment is lower than before.

Posted by: Rachel Joyce at June 2, 2007 01:58 PM

I'm a little nervous about making this comment now, but I am in receipt of DLA, and can honestly say this article does not really reflect a reality I recognise.

DLA is (I think the only benefit) that is entirely non means tested, the idea being that it is to provide for the extra care/mobility needs of those with disabilities and that these needs are a constant financial burden. However, in reality it is not unusual for those with genuine disabilities to find they have their DLA removed from them if they have been fortunate and strong willed enough to find work, meaning they are then forced back into the benefits system.

I personally would quite literally cut off a limb if I believed it would enable me to work and support myself successfully. Obviously, that will not make me more appealing to employers, or be practical! However in reality I would like to see a more honest approach from all the political parties to this area of benefits, rather than the current demonisation towards disability/health benefits which terrifies those genuinely in need and does nothing to concern those committing fraud.

In my case I have found it difficult to say the least to come to terms with the fact that I will not be able to work full time, and have fought hard to recover enough to be able to hope (against all medical advice) that I can consider working part time. I am like many disabled people desperate not to have to rely on benefits which do not even come close to meeting the basic costs of living, desperate to be just like everyone else, using my brain, and making a proper contribution to society. However, I am endlessly frustrated by the barriers put in my way by the benefits system itself. I fail to understand why the large numbers of people like myself who are desperate to work, understanding the potential detriment to our health are prevented from doing so by a system that tells me it will quite happily keep paying me benefits and keeping me in poverty until I die, but will not fund in the short term re-education to enable me to earn at a high enough level to support myself (I already have a degree but cannot work in that field) or says I have to be fit to work a minimum of 16 hours a week, start claiming another benefit of tax credits, which once all the other benefits have been taken away will leave me worse off that I was before I started work...as despite being educated to degree level once one is forced to work part time with a disability work options are severely limited and usually low paid.

I agree that the entire benefits system needs to be overhauled, however the current direction this is going in terrifies me as in reality those who are losing out are those with genuine disability/chronic illness not the fraudsters as they are the ones fit and well enough to cope with the demands of the system whereas those genuinely ill are too busy trying to cope with life.

Posted by: Bendygirl at June 18, 2007 04:48 PM

I too have to declare an interest in that I claim DLA and it is not an easy process - the forms are demanding and intrusive and your own GP has only a small say in the matter with specialists and others involved in your care also consulted.

The money involved does not provide a lavish lifestyle, merely a straw for when you cannot keep your head above water.

I suffer from mental illness and this is hard for a Dr who does not know you or your circimstances to assess. Also employers are not always sympathetic, ready able and willing to employ someone like me.

I agree with Rachael Joyce who commented that the only people who will suffer from the proposed changes are those in genuine need, those least equipped to deal with the rigours of the system. The fear I felt when the last Conservative Govt was in power and making threats to withdraw benefits was all too real and not something I wish to relive.

The real scroungers in this country are the "non-doms", those who can afford accountants to exploit loopholes that enable them to pay less tax and MP's the greatest hypocrites of all. God, it makes me truly sick to hear them claim they should get a £23,000 "handout" when this is what I get in 2 and a bit years to keep myself and my son. This on top of the wages they already get.....and still they see no problem with targetting the most vulnerable in society.

Can anyone tell me, apart from "anecdotal evidence"(an oxymoron...) who are these "professional" claimants. Their numbers are neglible but seem to be such a worry that great swathes of people will now have their security taken away.

Posted by: Laura McLaren at June 2, 2008 05:40 PM