The report is entirely written, researched, funded & supported by sick & disabled people, carers & friends, including prominent campaigners Sue Marsh (blogging at Diary of a Benefit Scrounger) & Kaliya Franklin (The Broken of Britain) - it's become known as the Spartacus Report
Based on a Freedom of Information request eliciting 500+ responses to formal consultation on DLA reform, the report argues the Government simply plays down the level of concern & opposition by disabled groups, carers, charities & others. It shows the rising recent caseload, which the Government says is DLA running out of control, is largely due to better access to DLA for folk with mental health problems. This questions Government arguments for trying to cut overall DLA by 20%.
A broad church of campaigners are calling for any changes to be delayed 6 months so the arguments & consequences can be better considered and understood. Mind is actively supporting this demand.
Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said the report: “is essential reading... a vital contribution to the debate on reform and a huge achievement for the volunteers who have produced it... shows much of the rise in claimants over recent years has been down to better access to the benefit for people with mental health problems, whose needs are often fluctuating and invisible. Rather than getting out of control as the Government claims, DLA has been increasingly going to people who really need it. The proposed 20% cut to the budget will have an enormous impact on many people with illnesses and disabilities, and we remain very concerned about the unintended consequences... “
An easy-read version of Responsible Reform is also available.
Government said consultation responses supported reform - not true, just 7% do. The consultation did not meet Government’s own Code of Practice - it was too short & ended 2 days after they presented the Bill to Parliament. Government claims a 30% rise in DLA claims - it's 13%, which they do admit... while yet maintaining the 30% claim! Odd, eh?
In short, this report says Government broke the rules, presented untruths & sticks by them, & tries to deny what is readily proved.
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