Originally Posted by Kizzy (Post 6594376)

This is the 5th case that can be directly linked to removal of incapacity/sickness benefit as a direct cause of suicide in the UK that I'm aware of, I feel the true figure will be much higher and due to recent news reports it's going to get much worse.

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier (Post 6594585)

There have also been several reported incidents involving people deemed "fit for work" pushing themselves too hard to find work / going back into work (self-employed tradesmen for example taking jobs again) and then ending up hospitalized or dead because they've pushed themselves too hard (in other words, they were clearly NOT fit for work).

My mother has been on disability for the better part of ten years, she has serious degradation of a few vertebrae in her lower back. When she's at her worst, she can barely walk, and is in near-constant agony even on strong painkillers. When she's at her best she can get around fairly well. Of course, she had an ATOS meeting when she was at her best, and her disability was stopped immediately (she was living on £50 a week having also been hit with bedroom tax). Of course, she pushed herself a little too hard and her back went, badly. She was then reassessed by them and had her benefits reinstated (and backdated) - so she was lucky, as they're rarely willing to reinstate after they've successfully pushed someone "off the books"... but the point is, she had to go through extreme levels of pain and was off her feet completely for weeks because she was deemed "fit for work", before they would admit that she clearly is not. The assessment system is obscene - and it's geared towards hitting targets, rather than making genuine assessments.

Originally Posted by smeagol (Post 6597895)

and still that cameron struts around with a silver spoon up his arse spouting his junk like he has any clue on the real world.
This goverment is the worst in history. they seem determined to kill of the poor and the sick.

its not good enough. i just wish we as a country would speak out more stand up and do something. like other countries do. no sit in our rooms and read the daily reports of people dying in our own country due to the policies of posh boy and his cronies who are so far removed from reality they think this is the wizzard of woz

Originally Posted by Livia (Post 6598220)

What it actually needs is the 60% of eligible voters who can't be bothered to vote, to get off their arses and go to the polling station. If you don't want the Tories in next time, you're going to have to vote to keep them out.

Originally Posted by Zee (Post 6598244)

It really bothers me so much that voter participation is so low in the UK. It should be compulsory to have to vote in my opinion, or face legal repercussions or a fine of some kind.

Originally Posted by Cherie (Post 6598289)

I have a feeling there will be a record turn out at the next General Election.

Originally Posted by Livia (Post 6598538)

They're desperate for a second term. Conservative HQ is pulling out all the stops, they've already released their campaign toolkit. I think they've become delusional, and what's more, they honestly think they've got a shot. I think the next general election could be the biggest defeat the Tories have ever experienced. They're throwing more campaigners and more cash at the Euro Election in May than I have ever seen them throw at any election because they know they'll get a taste of public feeling from the results, so if you've never voted before, I'd urge everyone to make the effort to vote at the Euros.

I'm not sure they comprehend the strength of feeling, and they particularly don't understand that the party faithful are turning their backs on them in their thousands. Every time David Cameron opens his mouth it's to announce another way they're going to shaft people. I can almost hear the staff who have to put a media-friendly mask on this stuff groaning. I've never been so glad to be away from a job... ever.

Originally Posted by Livia (Post 6598538)

They're desperate for a second term. Conservative HQ is pulling out all the stops, they've already released their campaign toolkit. I think they've become delusional, and what's more, they honestly think they've got a shot. I think the next general election could be the biggest defeat the Tories have ever experienced. They're throwing more campaigners and more cash at the Euro Election in May than I have ever seen them throw at any election because they know they'll get a taste of public feeling from the results, so if you've never voted before, I'd urge everyone to make the effort to vote at the Euros.

I'm not sure they comprehend the strength of feeling, and they particularly don't understand that the party faithful are turning their backs on them in their thousands. Every time David Cameron opens his mouth it's to announce another way they're going to shaft people. I can almost hear the staff who have to put a media-friendly mask on this stuff groaning. I've never been so glad to be away from a job... ever.

Originally Posted by joeysteele (Post 6591410)

I have been over the past year or more trying to help people having problems with the ATOS/DWP assessments and changes to the benefits being made.
What is being missed is the trauma, the lack of sensitivity and also the time taken to conclude the applications and get the decisions.

By the time you reach asking for them to look at it again or especially to the appeal time, people have already gone through heavy stress, worry and uncertainty waiting for the decision, the form for ESA is downright ridiculous and disgraceful as to some really stupid questions asked on it.In my view really pathetic.

I have come across claimants family, friends and neighbours who help care for claimants, themselves being really worked up and stressed at their dealing with the DWP and ATOS in particular.
Also, a good number of decisions are 'paper' decisions, Despite what Duncan Smith, likely the most vile politician there is at present in any party,says.
He stated that all claimants would be seen again,they are not, many are having their benefits removed or reduced without being seen at all,just done on a paper decision.
The process goes on for weeks and weeks then moves into months, that is a long time for people who are 'ill' to have to cope with the uncertainty and stress.

My own guess is that this poor man mentioned in the opening post had issues other than likely his benefits problem that may have been instrumental in the ending of his own life too whatever the cause of his death may be, it is likely he will have got extremely clinically depressed at the DWP's decision so it will have been in part a factor as well.
Money worries can make people do really irrational things and help cause unexpected fatal reactions too.

For me, I am not surprised to read of this and other cases like it,this Govt has set out on a necessary reform admittedly of the benefit system but has put in charge of it one of the most extreme, hard hearted and unjust politicians on the planet.
He listens to no one and has with the help of his party in Govt. and the Lib Dems too, put through some of the most unbelievably heartless policies any Govt has ever done.
Sadly all directed against the weakest, poorest and most vulnerable,especially the sick and disabled.
Money worries can make people do really irrational things and help cause unexpected fatal reactions too.

The sooner some Govt. is elected that will look at these reforms and install some heart, understanding and sensitivity to them the better and moreso treat claimants as indivduals with dignity and not cannon fodder for the govts and media discrimination against them.