This letter is now closed to comments, if you haven’t had you comment approved yet don’t worry as I’m copying everything to give to sonia its taking a little time to copy and approve everyone but it will be done before the letter goes to mr Milliband… Thank you everyone for your support… Dxxx
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
If you add your name and post code in a comment I will make sure Sonia gets it … I decided not to delete the whole post as there are comments that should be seen, All the post codes have been deleted…, Thanks and well done everyone… Dxxx
Update
Graham
Ive noted your name… Dxxx
Dawn
Thanks…
Eve
!5 yrs of fibro ~ M.E and Depression suddenly failed !!!!! No better now than 15 years ago!!!
Julia
Gen William (NCA)
gaynor
Lord Anthony
Sufferer of Spinal muscular atrophy and severe depression. But Atos say there is nothing wrong with me.Atos Mentality, Atos doctor stated and I have this recorded ” If you can drive are car Then obviously you have no problem walking” and in copy of Atos report “Tramadol are only a mild painkiller”. Remind Atos that you are there patient whilst at medical examination and as such they have a duty of care to you as a medical professional, Failure to exercise this should lead to them be dismissed for medical negligence.
What does it take to wake up those blind to this ignorant bullying of the countries most vulnerable. YES BULLYING, CAMERON BE A MAN COME AND TAKE IT OF ME PERSONALLY STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR CRAP LEGISLATION AND BIG WORDS.
Terry
Loretta Latham
Ralph
I take it this is where I place my details? Only that I don’t have a website, as such.
Alan Welsh,
Bethan Lloyd
thanks
Jeff Pike
11 Years-M.E. After Years of serving as a civil servant.
Lynn Fahy
KEVIN HENNESSEY AGREE
Do something about this awful situation, we have a government of victorian thugs
Neuropathy due to undiagnosed and therefore untreated Pernicious Aneamia that has caused chronic nerve damage that will never repair. This is hard enough to cope with without having to go through all the stress and anxiety Atos assessments and the Dwp are causing me.
C’mon ED, show some spirit, make me believe in trhe Labour party again.
Sandra Field
Annette White Pernicious Anaemia and my son has CMT type 1.
Please Add my name to this ! I have just suffered at the hands of ATOS and the ESA and 3 weeks ago “WON” yes – won my ESA appeal. I have researched this thru Parliment., Welfare rights specialists and the like it Time this system is abolished and Not reviewd Marianne Phillips and the BEST of LUCK
Charlie Robinson
Michelle Howieson Thanks..
hi ravenswyrd1 have noticed that you are adding peoples names who cannot do it themselves, i am having the same problem, could you add mine & my postcode please. pat cross
Done Dxxx
Family member going through hell because of this at the moment.
Jane Shaw
Sharon Halnon Havin some real problems with DWP since 2007 due to a long standing Health condition which was diagnosed almost 17yrs ago during emergency surgery for another health complication, and I was then eventually advised in 2007 after years with several stays in Hospital and Regular Out-Patient appointments, that surgery for the remaining condition(thought to have developed in my teens as it was said to be severe when first discovered) had to be delayed as long as possible because of a high risk of resulting illness developing as a result of the treatment required, I have now developed Rheumatoid Arthritis as a result of a completely smashed elbow incurred during one of my frequent collapses. I have worked hard in Professional jobs since leaving School, and have been laid off from 3 Full Time Jobs since 2007 due to repeated sickness absences and various Ambulance trips to A&E as recently as May 2013. I now face a daily struggle to achieve an income as the DWP is such a horrible place to deal with and this once strong capable Woman is now reduced to tears each time I try to deal with them, they basically get away with telling u completely different information each time you fone, cast me off ESA… to then place me on JSA to then write to me after 6wks advising me claim Incapacity Benefit (Letter received end of March, yes they do still send them out), I rang to claim the Incapacity Benefit and was told they were not accepting new claims and that I should claim ESA (the same benefit they had told me I was no longer eligible for just a few weeks previously, I can’t take that treatment any more, after going thru the same cycle with them twice since 2010.. my visit to Capability Assessment lasted less than 7 mins with a complete Stranger who happily chatted about a pre-existing condition she had recovered from after Surgery… ok fine, happy she alright, but then I was sent on my way, to then receive a report that pretty much disresgarded every reply I had given to her questions… even to the point of actually writing the opposite of what I had said. I have now called in Legal Advice and support, an all these years my Health is deteriorating at a alarming pace particularly in the last 2 years. Its an absolute crime and disgrace what the system is getting away with, and other Countries think we have it good over here. I absolutely refuse to be treated like this any longer, am not gonna be driven to throw myself under a train in desperation, am clinging on to my last nerves with the help of a Wonderful Son who has now recognised and witness how I am being treated, and one last thing to mention is that a close neighbour has confided in me last week that her Mother was diagnosed with Fybromalgia about 2 years ago, and that she is really concerned that I have the same condition… I had never heard of it before, and then I read through the comments here and so many of you have it, it seems to be another illness that is swept under the Governments Westminster Carpets. Happy to add my support to the letter
Emma Schmann
thanks
Mrs K Mooney
Deborah Pate
Ta….
Linda Hurwood – I have been affected by this and appreciate what u r doing xxx
Fran Chris
totally agree
yes
Wendy wheeler
Something needs to change
David Village
Trevor Pyne
de56 0hd – 7 years with Fybromyalgia – failed ATOS – clearly im cured
Me To Caz… Dxxx
Sorry! Fiona Goffe,
Alex Hunter
hopefully make it easer for people to get help and DLA payments
Benda Field
Steffi Thompson
Andrew Clark,
Tracy Pooley
SERVRE DEPRESSION FOR 14 YRS 3YRS BI-POLAR JUST DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROMYALGA
S Taylor
Still cannot find where to sign-help
Just pop Your name and post code in reply to me and I’ll add your name to the letter… Dxxx
Just pop Your name and post code in reply to me and I’ll add your name to the letter… Dxxx
Dont worry about post code ive added your name anyway not everyone is leaving their post code,,, Dxxx
Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis,osteoporosis,dislocating pelvic bones,removal of 75% of L4/L5,calicfied neck discs, 50% use only of right foot after complicated triple smashed fracture right ankle, 3 abdominal operations for removal of tumors, then later on dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (rare skin tumour), removed, but has a tendency to recur .. and many more ailments, I am a trained nurse for the Elderly and worked until the back OP, but ATOS declared me fit for work in April, I am waiting for a Tribunal Hearing …
sorry my Postcode is.. thank you …
rachel guidera
Tests are a disgrace no compassion or understanding for CHRONICALLY SICK people.
Rachel Offley
jackie
ross
Ian
Geoff Allen
Philippa Brook
Natasha Blackwell, Glasgow
Marion Davenport
Lynn Harrison
Keith Lindsay-Cameron
John Sweeney
Janine Hancock. lONG TERM DEPPRSSION,ANKIETY,THYROID PROBS,SPONDYLOSIS,IBS,
Dr Pauline Nolan
Kelly woolfrey
how do you sign this letter confused!!??
Leave your name and post code as a comment… Dxxx
Emily
Phil Smith
nice letter, sums the situation up nicely
Thank you so much!
Sorry – my postcode is – Just to add ,I campaigned hard of behalf of the Labour party during the run up to the local elections in Glasgow in May – I sincerely hope Mr. Milliband takes the necessary action.
Mr Miliband i call on you to support us & stop wca/atos wasting our money on this issue which is toxic & unfit for purpose, even the BMA are opposed to this.
thanks
Sharon Dolan
Irene Burton
Speaking from personal experience, I can say categorically, that government does not lay down targets.
What they do do though, has the same effect on the result. If any examiner fails to adhere to the expected level of result then they are subjected to ‘retraining’ procedures and ultimately disciplinary action to reach the desired, but unspoken, level of positive assessment, so the finger will always point to the examiner and not the test.
To keep railing against non-existent targets is to play the governments game of misdirection and innocence.
Don’t talk about targets, examine the logic of the contents of the tests and look for the actual interpretation possible in the inevitable results
Michael O’Connor Milliband don’t be a coward and stand up for the sick and the disabled. The labour party was set up by the poor for the poor don’t forget the roots of the labour party.
mike gargett
K Stephenson – Please Mr Miliband help to stop the torture of ever higher hurdles that often fail those who need help the most because they are least able to manage them. Please!
Martin Crookall
Im being assessed this month, I receive nothing other than my medical exemption certificate and think myself lucky to have just got that, I am worried silly they will take it away from me with that and the thought of my illness being non curable and knowing I will end up in a wheelchair frightens the living life out of me.
Loraine wood
Graham palmer
Susan wood
Sophie wood
Emma pollard
Loraine wood
i agree
it is so scary for us ,have been suffering with fibromyalgia and m.e. for 24 years,havent been able to work for 17 dont know where to turn
12 years a civl servant….now a fibromite
s mcwilliams
christina
Paul Sutton
Glynis Wall Fybromyalgia, Oesteoarthritus, Vitamin D deficiency requiring medication that my consultant has asked my GP for but my PCT wont allow prescription.
Jackie Cole
Shaun Johnson
David Foster
Helen Joberns
For years it has been claimed that there is a link between rising costs of benefit payments as a whole and disability payments, implying that there are more and more claims for disability benefits and that these supposed rising claims for disability benefits are responsible for the rise in welfare benefit costs. This link explains how false that claim is http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/messageboards/F2322273?thread=7595089
I have a son with Aspergers and Dyspraxia.., he requires a lot of care that at times has brought me to my knees financially and mentally. What I will do if the benefits he is given are stopped I don’t know. But it looks almost inevitable. I have been able to keep him in school, enable him to get a higher than average amount of GCSE’s and help him towards being able to get employment later on in life. I couldn’t have done this if I’d had to work, it just wouldn’t have been possible. And the effects on a boy who needed my full time support because of an inadequate education system would have been huge. It has involved a lot of sacrifice.., none of which I regret in the slightest, but it wouldn’t have been possible at all if I hadn’t had a little extra money coming in.
It makes me smile when any Tory says “you can’t spend your way out of debt;” but isn’t that exactly what they are doing?
By getting the Bank of England (BoE) to print more money (Quantative Easing) surely that is precisely what they are doing
The way they use Quantative Easing (QE) is entirely wrong. The idea is The Bank of England (BoE) prints money, puts it in circulation and the banks should then loan it to businesses enabling them to employ more people and creating growth.
But surely growth comes from business selling their goods/services and creating profit? The business will then earn sufficient money to employ a person; that is the way to create growth.
An alternative: give everybody above the age of 16 who earns below £80,000 per year £2,000. They will spend the money on bills, rent/mortgage, consumer goods etc. making profit for businesses and thus creating growth. If they put it into a savings account that is doing exactly what the BoE are doing. This would cost about 80 billion pounds but it should be remembered that the BoE has given the banks 375 billion in QE so far.
In the long term the Robin Hood Tax must be implemented. A less than half 1p in the pound tax on every transaction involving bonds, derivatives etc. (not in your high street bank) would raise £100 billion per year (see http://robinhoodtax.org/)
While we have a Chancellor who equates the country’s budget with that of a household budget saying “in times of austerity we must cut back on our spending” we will have a long, bleak future.
The answer to any bank that wants to move to, say, Hong Kong is simple. If they move they will not be allowed to operate in this country. I’m sure you would get agreement on that in the EU.
The financial situation facing us must have a radical solution; not only will this way I suggest quickly solve the problem it will mean the gaining the trust of the people and whoever introduces it will be elected for a long time to come.
I agree. Please add my name to the petition.Elaine Sturmey
PAULINE ARKLEY, RAISED 5 KIDS NEVER CLAIMED BENFITS, STILL CANT IVE FIBRO SYRINGOMYELIA, EPILEPSY, OSTEO,DUPYTRENS CONSTRCTURE, NEED A CARER ETC, BUT NOT ILL ENOUGH FOR DLA
Fabio Paolo Barbieri
Came out funny… Fabio Paolo Barbieri,
K J Evans
d judd
cheryl coombs
Michael and Maureen Ponting
rita begum
This may not be the place for this, but many in the various groups said I should send this to Prof Harrington, but just maybe it could be better served being addressed to Ed Milliband.
This is a slight more refined version of what I posted on facebook concerning the alternatives to the WCA.
1. £20 Million P.A (funded from the reduced costs of the appeals process), is applied to tackle Tax fraud and avoidance which currently costs the country £70 Billion + P.A (only £0.6Million is current spent tackling this issue). Helping to alleviate the so called deficit and in turn taking the pressure off the benefit system.
2. The ATOS contract is terminated due to various breeches of contract. (which includes not addressing DPA issues, which mean they have to now work out of DWP Cardiff using DWP IT and telephony equipment, they tendered to supply all of this). That £100 Million P.A is channelled into training/paying fees for the claimant GP’s, Consultants and or Psychiatric staff to produce real medical reports on behalf of the Secretary of State. So that decision makers can be correctly informed in a manner that causes as little stress as possible to some of the most vulnerable in society.
3. If they must have ESA then a person placed in the Work related Activity Group (WRAG) should not be penalised for being more able, instead they should receive the same level of income as those in the support Group (SG). However they will continue to receive the support back in to work. This should include training, college or part time university courses with the OU as criteria for placements.
4. Both WRAG and SG, ESA claimants, should be given an active work allowance (AWA); This entails.
a) Being allowed to earn up to a ‘Working Wage’ before deductions from the ESA.
b) Being taxed from the very first £1 over and above their ESA. this is to fund continued pass ported benefits such as help towards Dental, Glasses, Housing Benefit etc. None of these are affected until the claimant earns over and above a ‘Working Wage’.
Active Work Allowance (AWA) is a sort of working tax credit for the Disabled, one that not only encourages work, but any amounts not claimed on pass ported (as not all claim these) benefits results in £Billions in returns to the treasury. This process is considerably more fair, more financially viable and promotes a system where a disabled persons is not penalised because they actually do want to work and help pay their way.
Gen William Taggart (NCA)
Julie Baines Definitely agree that this victimisation of the sick and disabled needs to be stopped. Nobody chooses to be ill and yet the DWP think it is a lifestyle choice. If I was well enough to work, I damn well would be doing. I’d worked and paid tax for 20 years before being diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2009.
b scott
I haven’t worked for 12 years because of severe problems due to having Hughes syndrome & never claimed anything because my husband had a good job and kept me. He was made redundant and my Consultant says there would be no possibility of me working not least because I have severe memory problems. I am now being treated like a scrounger despite all the tax and insurance my husband paid over the 42 years he has been in employment!
Rowan Padmore
Andrew Williams
Eugenics in Germany in the 30′s rose out of the scapegoating of the ‘burdensome’ sick and handicapped. We know where that led. Where is LABOUR on these issues?
The whole ATOS and following tribunal (which I won, but was put in the wrong group), made me even more ill. It was so stressful I had a breakdown after the tribunal and was bedridden for almost a month. I have fibromyalgia, CFS and a herniated disc in my neck. The tribunal took place at a courtroom where there were criminals being tried outside. The doctor at the tribunal was condecending and didnt listen, and the written response, didnt match what I told him, and the fie of medical evidence I had compiled and I am still in the wrong group. Instead of helping me when I am vunerable and need support, I have no benefits now, and I am stressed out beyond belief with money stress, trying to support 3 children after my husband left and has no contact. I am not a sponger, I am a qualified teacher, who has paid taxes, but got ill. I am disgusted at this governments treatment of ill and disabled people. Depression is a disability, yet it isnt treated as such through this process. It is an utter disgrace.
H. Rees
The Coalition Government should be ashamed of themselves – amongst ATOS, and the DWP that are all making disabled people’s life a misery…the tax payers money being wasted is unbelievable, and the examination is flawed in many respects…i have been cheated out of my entitlement, and I have felt suicidal myself on many occasions as I do not see a way ahead anymore…I am made to feel disgusted with myself, all I do is worry about my future (indeed if I still have one) and I think enough is enough. I am a good person…and I deserve the same rights and opportunities as other able bodied individuals. If there is any good people in Government then start supporting disabled people again before many more people have to die…please show you still have some compassion and understanding of the difficulties we have to endure on a daily basis…
I agree with the content….Ian Smith,
Thank you Sonia
tara.wilkins
Noted… Dxxx
I am a member of Plaid Cymru my late wife was disabled i am glad she is not alive to see how lab + tories have treated the disabled where do you stand ? Derek Lucas
Abigail Wyatt
Noted…
i fully agree with this letter
If you want your name to be put on the letter send a message with your name and post code I dont have to make it public if you dont want it to be… Dxxx
Ive popped it on anyway… Dxxx
Sean a. Gleeson couldn’t find out how to comment, Sorry.
Ive got you on the letter now… Dxxx
Paul Winter
Joan Anthony
S ferguson
Please add my name and postcode
- many thanks.
Ta
hi could you add my mum in law name lily cross
Done
Dxxx
Pam Long.
Cheers
thanks
Diane Taylor
Ta…
T Allan
Thanks….
Sandra White
Im currently fighting for an appeal to the support group, I have cervical & lumbar spondilosis and fibromyalgia. Dont understand how a DWP doctor 6yrs ago can say I would never work again and now after a reassessment only on paper Atos and decision makers have put me in the esa work related group, makes no sense at all.
OK ta…
How do I stop all the email support coming through on my ymail account?
Im not sure, have a look at your notification settings… Dxxx
I won my appeal, I have spondilosis of the neck and fibro…but I didnt win it on those, rather on IBS symptoms, and I had to say the worst possible day ever, I was still put in working group…which is utterly ridiculous. They ignored all my medical letters from specialists.
Thomas Turner I,m also a Labour Party member who this will eventually effect
Cheers.
I fully agree with this letter.
by the way
OK..
thanks
I totally agree with the contents of this letter.
Cheers…
It all part ot this underlying longer term UK policy initiative started by Labour in 2008, Ed Miliband can never escape the fact that he was in Brown’s cabinet at the time and politicians never admit they were wrong !
http://nollyprott.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/green-holocaust-2/
Do you want to go on the letter?
J Pettigrew
Ta…..
Elizabeth Worsley
Isn’t it a bit dangerous adding postcodes? Anyone can look up peoples house details on SatNav?Very dangerous I think….
Ali Pardoe
Carmel Hillary
Pam Griffin
Dawn Hanson
Dear Mr Milliband,
as a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party I believe it is of the utmost importance that we place among our core values protection and support for those in society least able to fight for themselves. As leader of the opposition it falls on you to take a stand and be a leading light in this respect. I sincerely hope you will take on board all the excellent points made in this letter, I expect to hear you speak out against the Work Capability Assessment and the way in which it is administered by ATOS, I believe this is no less than your loyal supporters would expect from you.
Kind Regards,
Jane Cranmer
Paul jones
I agree with the contents of this letter, people should be supported and helped in their efforts to find work. Jobcentre has a hard enough time trying to find work for nearly 3 million unemployed how can they find the time to devote to people with specific needs. For 13 years I’ve been asking for help and received very little, along the way I created work for over a dozen uk businesses with no help from the jobcentre. The carrot will always produce better results than the stick.
Excellent letter. I couldn’t agree more.
Margaret Burton
Jane Cranmer
The slash and discard policy of the Con-Dem government hopefully is leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those that had lost faith in the Labour party.
This is just the beginning of the removal of state funding for the weak, poor, elderly, disabled etc.
Do not give these ‘people’ another chance at the next election……
If you do then make sure you will not need any state help at anytime…. because there will not be any.
I fully support your letter to Mr Miliband.
Regards.
In total agreement with your letter – a positive reply is needed from Mr Milliband!
Kate Butler
Fallyn Spinks
Katherine Fox
Maurice Fox
Hi Kat… Dxxx
Hiya :waves:
It is time to stop the killing of innocent sick people this government should be up on a charge of manslaughter’
Alasdair Lord
I am registered disabled and awaiting a date for my recorded WCA
Calvin Smith
I have added my name and postcode.
dave cohen
Forgot to put my postcode –
N. Hallett.
Mr Miliband, I am a Labour Supporter and would like to know if you will continue with the WRB, which is treating the genuine sick and disabled in such a callous way.
Barbara Smith Carer of disabled daughter
martin cameron
Andrew Rice
thanks
ema hackett (not comfortable putting the rest of my address publicly)
Bob Swinn
Michelle maher well done Sonia
I fully agree with this letter . As a sufferer of fibromyalgia I am unable to live a full life and manage properly around the home. I am due to have my atos medical soon. And the stress it is causing me is having an extremely negative impact on my health .
I support your letter 100 per cent
support your letter keep up the fight
Please enter my name+postcode on yr superb letter! Thanks
I fully agree to this letter C A Holmes
Deborah Webber
Dear Mr Milliband,
my daughter is 22.She is autistic and I care for her since she left full time education.The WCA is a travesty of social justice,a one size fits all assessment which is totally unsuitable for purpose.
Please take this letter seriously,so many people with disabilities have nobody to turn to.
We need to protect the weak and vulnerable of this country,not demonise them.
Many thanks Rebecca
Totally agree.., I have a 16 year old boy who has been teased and tormented every day of his schooling life.., as well as dealing with his disability he has to deal with this. How he will cope with an ATOS assessment when they decide to bring them in on DLA awards, I don’t know.
Cliff Babbs
Pat McClay
Please add my name to this list
Sam Barnett-Cormack,
Hi Sam… Dxxx
If you wrote this can you let me have your name its disappeared… Dxxx
I agree with the contents of this letter, people should be supported and helped in their efforts to find work. Jobcentre has a hard enough time trying to find work for nearly 3 million unemployed how can they find the time to devote to people with specific needs. For 13 years I’ve been asking for help and received very little, along the way I created work for over a dozen uk businesses with no help from the jobcentre. The carrot will always produce better results than the stick.
Emma Cordiner
Carina Dane
Christine Anderson
I totally agree with and support Sonia Poulton’s Letter.
From personal experience the ATOS medical assessment is a horrendous procedure and very unfair to the point it discriminates against those with chronic long term health conditions such as FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, and ME.
The government have failed ALL with genuine ill health and are making us suffer even more !!!
Tina Hussain
I totally agree with this letter,,, just because one looks ok does not mean that they r not suffering severe pain day and night. Fibromyalgia is an invisable illness.. iT effects most of the body . It also causes depression, IBS, fatigue, Mirgraine Headaches, forgetfullness, and many more…. I also have prolaspe disc degenerated,, saticia,, loss of heraing in both ears ,, I am waiting on an MRI scan for my knees.. So i would love to be able to work and meet people have fun, But my life is not like that i am in constant severe pain looking at 4 walls with very little money……… I feel this ATOS medicals and assessments unbeliveable how can someone who sees u for 1 hour say yeah you r fit for work ………….. ( ex of them at the assessment ,, she/he looks ok they can lift their arms up and stand for a few mins ) fit for work ????????? NOT RIGHT ………..
Penny Mead
I entirely agree, the ATOS implementation of WCA is shameful. The job of Labour at present is one of opposition, and challenging the government. Regardless of who instigated the policy change at present this sits within the present government’s oversight and it’s a shameful mess that people with pervasive health difficulties (mental, learning difficulties, physical and combinations thereof) are being assessed with such a blunt instrument.
thanks
J Jennings
Alison Stewart
Helen Palmer
thanks
I am a natural socialist, and have always voted labour. I am scared to vote Labour now as I fear they will just do “New” Labour type things again, or act just like the Conservative / Lib Dem Coalition. Or break promise and lack backbone as the Lib Dems have done. All the parties are completely out of touch with people on the ground. If Labour gets to power it must reverse the damage this inhuman, heartless coalition has done – they have vilified & scapegoated the sick vulnerable and disabled, whipped up divisions in society using blatent propaganda techniques, and demolished hard won-rights and protections. Two years ago the war on the disabled would have been unthinkable. How fast and how low this dreadful government has sunk in the sea of morality. New depths of cavalier selfish unconcern.They have no morality, no sense of stewardship of our country and it’s laws or responsibility to citizens. They got into government and made it a help-yourself free-for all for rich buddies.
They have relaxed planning laws so we will soon be concreted over.
There are no longer any words strong enough for how I feel about what this government has done. “Vile”, “unprincipled” “inhumane” and “ruthless” have become meaningless and devalued. We need a new word to descrive this lot. Years ago I had an attack of the night hags – sleep paralysis. Evil hags were clawing at my spine and trying to drag me down to hell. If you have had this experience you will know what a mental and physical nightmare it is. This government are real living murderous soulless night hags. Grinning bland plastic robotic assassins, with carefully rehearsed body language and gestures to try and appear convincing. We have all had enough of this sort of politician.
Hi, I want to publicise this but a lot of people won’t sign it on a private blog. I can’t access the Google doc or find a way to sign it on Facebook and not everyone has a Facebook account.
Does anyone know when it needs to be signed by?
Thanks!
The google doc crashed with so many trying to sign it You can sign here and I will pass it on, I am one of the core group for the We Are Spartacus Community. additionaly there are folks collecting signatures on FB the Spartacus Report group are trying to collect signatures as well as others theres also a copy of the letter on Sonia Pultons FB page that you can leave your details as well… I hope that helps… I think they are hoping to get the doc back up and running at some point… Dxxx
The google doc crashed with so many trying to sign it You can sign here and I will pass it on, I am one of the core group for the We Are Spartacus Community. additionaly there are folks collecting signatures on FB the Spartacus Report group are trying to collect signatures as well as others theres also a copy of the letter on Sonia Pultons FB page that you can leave your details as well… I hope that helps… I think they are hoping to get the doc back up and running at some point… It was due in tomorrow at 2pm but I think Sonia is trying to get longer… Dxxx
I have Multiple Sclerosis and have just been scored zero points by Atos! Told my hair and clothes looked nice. I heard my name called without a hearing aid (I’ve never said I own a hearing aid). This is a scandal! Really worried we may loose our home or get into debt. As a nation we have to stand together and fight this. It’s so wrong!
What utter crap! Before I must say that I am currently undergoing help and diagnosis for what is causing my severe headaches that come on any time and I have been signed of sick by my GP. I also lived with a lady that has Fibro. No Hat Smith I have not singled you out here, it is that I have had enough of blaming this government!
A little history lesson for you and all Labour party lovers on here. When ‘Good old Uncle Tony’ Blair was our PM his government like others before them introduced various changes to how benefits are claimed, including incapacity and other benefits available to those unfit for work. That is a fact! They also got vilified at the time as it meant that tests and questionnaires had to be done to show that you were eligible for those benefits.
Now since 1996 the number of people claiming benefits because they can not work has doubled if you believe some sources it has trebled in the number of people claiming them.
I do sympathise totally with legitimate claims! Unfortunately to weed out those that are not legitimate everyone has to be reassessed.
Now every government issues targets, they all do! Even Labour!
Atos who are carrying out the WCA are under pressure to deliver on those targets. Yes the testing system could be better and more dignified that is not what is gripping my sh**.
What is annoying me is that there are people wrongly claiming sick benefits, and you know there is. How do you propose they are weeded out?
I went to two assessments with the lady I lived with. A lot of the cases to be seen went in to be assessed wobbling on walking sticks being carried by relatives and combination there of. Most of those came out the same way they went in; once the consulting room door was closed they tucked the sticks under their arms, skipped out of the door with broad smiles. Some even said “Well that is it for another year or so, no need for work!”. Do you think it is right that these people, who obviously are fit to work should be paid not to work? That is potentially stopping YOUR benefits from being increased as a proper claimant.
Also the lady I lived with also had anxiety problems and could not handle stress, her doctors report confirmed this and she was passed fit for work! She had to appeal TWICE and go through all that again TWICE. It was not a coalition government then, it was LABOUR.
Stop blaming this government and blame them all, more importantly blame those that are wrongfully claiming your benefits. They are the people stealing from YOU and successive governments are trying to STOP them stealing from you.
Like I said before these tests should be done with more dignity, care and without targets! Done in such a way those with legitimate claims smile and those without run back to work!
Hat, I am sorry, I say again I am not singling you out her. This rant is aimed at all those blaming this and that. The big picture needs to been seen here, and that is to stop those wrongfully claiming but do it in a manner that does not affect the dignity of those rightly claiming.
Ian…you are obviously not a sick or disabled person…you are missing the point completely there are people with terminal cancer being declared fit for work..others with profound disabilities being declared fit for work by ATOS…when you live each day with fear and stress brought on by this Government which you obviously don’t only then can you understand..Whoever Hat Smith is she better off without a judgemental person like you..
L Crosby
Frank Spence
Gary Stewart
Christopher Colin Wilson
thanks…Dxxx
Please, Mr Milliband, someone has to stand up to this inhuman administration, and if not you, then who?
Robert Ormesher
J Lock
S. Carter
Heddi Greenwood
Please add my name
Although there is no cure MS is not terminal.
Sadly my future as it stands with the WCAs and the Condems WRB is terminal!
I cannot spend a lifetime in the misery of proving my worthlessness to you in order to prove my honesty?..
Sorry
please put me on letter Barbara Hulme
I am 39 yrs old and have suffered with ME for 10 years, I have always woeked even when I was advised not to as it was seriously affecting my health. I got finished from work last October on medical grounds and so am now on disability benefits. I hate not being well enough to go to work and provide for my kids as I am a single parent with no financial or emotional support from my ex. U are made to feel like a fraud, cheat and liar and as if there’s nothing wrong with u. This is all because if u can’t see an illness then people don’t believe its real. I have had many an appointment with Atos and I think they are harsh, brutal, un caring and down right insensitive when it comes to genuine sick people who have to be on disability benefits and this needs to be addressed and changed asap!!!!
Catherine Wallace
john baker
Alice Reeve I can’t even get treatment from Glos PCT. This ATOS thing is making me so stressed I suffer from fibromyalgia, ME, two forms of arthritis, asthma and other conditions in complete flare! I can’t take meds due to CSS. How can I go into work nobody would have me with my health! I lost two jobs in past due to health!
Michael Shackleton
Like other people have said, it is the silence of the Labour Party which frightens me for the future. I’m swayed towards UKIP but I fear that may also be a wasted vote and could allow the tories back in again. Our vulnerable people need help and we need to know that the government we elect are interested in protecting them. I need to know to know that the Labour Party is a party that cares.
S Edwards
I fully agree, this requires the most urgent action right now before someone else is killed off with it!
Thanks… Dxxx
Andy Larkin
Mr Milliband and the Labour Party. Please for the sake of moral conscience make a stand against these immoral acts against the most vulnerable in our 21st century UK. Yes 21st, not the Middle Ages. Support this letter.
Thomas Gallagher
Denise Bellamy
This vile treatment of the disabled and sick by this Govt. must stop. The demonisation of others less able bodied must stop, it is encouraged by the likes of the Daily Mail and Sun, this Govt encourages this awful behaviour. By doing that the pressure is off the real issues, MP’s cheating, off shore a/c’s, big company’s registered abroad to avoid tax. This country is becoming worse and worse for decent people, Mr. Miliband, we are relying on you to do the right thing. This Govt is the biggest cheat and they are standing up to their name “The Nasty Party”.
Strongly agree with this, and I am a Labour party member representing my CLP at this years conference. I can fairly say this is the view of our heartlands CLP
Mike Homfray
This government is attacking the people least able to fight back.
j.collier
Shaun Carruthers
Helen Woodhouse and Richard Southwell
thanks…Dxxx
Jayne Gowland
Christine Harman
David Harman
Christine McClenaghan
Jan Baker
Adele Reynolds
John Short
Just one of a number of systemic failures/abuses going back years.
In my own case, I have a degenerative scenario, and have accumulated excellent medical evidence. I failed to get DLA, and had to undergo a farcical appeal. So I remained on incapacity benefit until it was removed in october 2011, never having attained a disability status, just that of long term sick. It is reasonable to assume, that a proportion of those also claiming incapacity benefit, are also disabled, but are only regarded as long term sick. Many of them, like me, now get nothing, except the contempt of government and wider public that have jumped onto the hate bus that dismissess us as lazy scroungers. Let’s drop the pretence now that what has been taking place over successive administrations are NOT reforms, but budget driven cuts, that at best are dehumanising, at worst … fatal!
dear Mr. milliband,
I run a disabled and carers group in Grain, and since the ATOS and ESa assessments have been the rule, I find myself having to do appeals for some of the very disabled in my group who are of working age. They have won their appeals, with help. However, the distress this has caused, has been horrendous, we have had one man die, weather it was the stress we can never be sure. None of us are against proper medical assessment, but we are against this uncaring barbaric assessment that does not take into account serious medical issues.
We need a saviour so please can you use your voice of compassion.
Regards joy birdsey
Well done, sonia. Sign me up.
Katherine Wimhurst
this Government is attacking the people least able to fight back !!
I totally agree. The current system is cruel and unfair.
Pen Tindall
Joanne walker
Heather Elvin
Megan Mennell
Laurence Groom
Husband of a chronically ill wife with severe mental health problems, chronic pelvic pain, ulcerative colitis, wide spread arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and chronic fatigue who still is called in regularly for these un-fair and demeaning assessments!
Hazel Townley
My life: school, university, work for 18 years, then the last 6 have been hell. Psoriasis (moderate to severe) from age 6. Psoriatic arthritis from age 20. First symptoms of fibromyalgia age 29. Unable to work full-time age 40. I now work half a day a week doing admin for community car scheme. I tried working 3 half days per week but I was ground down and unable to do anything else. I have looked but there are no office jobs for 2 half days per week here. So I’m unemployable. Now I’m so depressed none of the medication tried has worked and there is no counselling available to help me adjust to a life of disability and poverty.
Annette Dickinson,
Annabel Luery
Sandra Martin
Regards,
Juliana Lucas
Ross Martin
Robin Castley
Angie Trowbridge
Tony Booth-Lydon
A combination of the STASI and Tourquemada = ATOS and this shambles of a government, who were quick to lay the blame for rioters not having Fathers but wimp out when given the chance to make a difference and now move on to the sick and disabled. The tories are nothing short of Fascistic neo-nazis in old etonian blazers. Mr Milliband you have a chance to make history and to right the wrongs that these ill informed, self serving dictators. Are you man enough to take on that challenge? I hope so because the only other option is mass civil disobedience and an Egyptian style uprising.
I am on disability and was on income support then they completely stopped my money I had to borrow money to live and Esa has been given and taken away from me twice WITHOUT WARNING i HAVE DIABETES …. SEIZURES … ASTHMA … OSTEO ARTHRITIS … SPONDOLITUS AND i SUFFER WITH DEPPRESION AND ANXIETY and a few other things I hardly go out of the house and am in pain 24 7 I think its disgusting the way I have been treated even right now Im scared your going to take it away again its harrastment at its worse I even contemplated more drastic measures to get me out of my living hell I am now in debt because of your actions and yet I have been given the same form again to get back SDA Are you hoping to pick off all the week and sick why dont you just get gas chambers and put us sick people in rather than breaking our spiirit Maybe we might go in a corner and lie down and die Then you can boast Hey we got some sick people off benefit How you sleep at night is beyond me …I totally agree —- Linda Walsh Bebington
Dr. Stephen M. Carty MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG
Member and Medical Adviser, Black Triangle Campaign.
This government treat us like a criminal if you are sick! First you can’t get treatment, tests and then they want you back in work within a year if you are in the ESA working group! That is a death sentence!
They don’t care people are taking their own lives and yet they do nothing
Do you want you name on the letter? Adrian… Dxxx
k.mcinally
Having watched both the dispatches and Panorama programmes I was appalled by the way in which this government and its agencies treats people with disabilities!
John McArdle Founding Member Black Triangle Campaign
Amanda Ward
Linda Austin
Deborah Mahmoudieh
Anthony Bradstock
There is week by week extensive documentary evidence held by my MP of how the whole system of ESA and DLA WCA form filling and assessments caused me to SERIOUSLY attempt, not just contemplate, suicide. Because of the nature of my physical and mental illness, I could neither support my family by working (I was finished by my employer on health grounds, inspite of my best efforts to continue), or receive benefits for which i’d worked all my life and paid NI and tax. The thought of me losing our home due to an unsympathetic system became almost too much to live with. Thankfully,my MP, the local police and my GP were able to help me get through the crisis. Please stop this before I have to go through the whole damn thing again. Thank you for your support.
I agree with the content’s of Sonia Poulton’s letter too. I have been twice for an assessment, and it is an arduous, time-consuming and stressful process, all of which serves to exacerbate an already painful condition. I’ve been a Labour voter all my adult life, and not only expect, but demand that the sick and disabled of this country be treated with more compassion. I did not choose to be ill!
Hi I need a name to put on the letter… Dxxx
Please do not let the vulnerable of our nation down. It is the duty of the Labour Party to stand up for the working class. Please make a stand against the victimisation of the sick and vulnerable.
Helen Boylin
Daughter 27 has Down Syndrome, complex congenital heart defect,pacemaker, poorly controlled asthma and blacks out when pacemaker doesn’t kick in—-all supported by cardiologist and GP
Assessed by ATOS
Decision Maker places her on WRAG for 365 days
Requested form made at her assessment. It states 4 times she is not fit for work can’t they read
I totally agree with and support Sonia Poulton’s Letter.
Indeed Sonia their have been way to many deaths and i do believe e’d is fully aware and have been personally told this by his office on the phone
It is most alarming that my tory mp is also aware and turning a blind eye but i do believe that justice will take place at some point as the death toll rises and the police have to step in as I’m sure they will do plus the human rights lawyers in the EC are fully aware of these deaths as are all of the governing bodies of the EU
Everyone at this time is just playing a waiting game but my gut feeling is someone somewhere will be making a move soon to end this misery affecting thousands of sick and disabled people across the uk and like in all suspense movies this will be a big one
These acts against mankind can only be swept under the carpet for so long and as in history those ultimately responsible for this welfare reform bill which failed to safe guard the public will end up before the crown court and face prosecution so that justice may be served and that the families of those that have died get to see justice so that their healing process may begin
Sorry But I need a name at least… Dxxx
Neil Jeffery
Andy Lawson -
Matthew Wheatley
MJ Lonsdale
Anne Bradshaw
Labour Party member currantly going through the process been disabled all my life and worked for 22 years until disability deteriorated, now made to feel like a scrounger
I support everything in this letter, I am stuck in the system myself. I don’t choose to be ill, I want to work for a better life especially for my children, however at this point in time I can’t. We could loose evrything so it’s not only me suffring.
Vince Marlow
Having worked full-time all of my life and contributed to society in a positive way, I now have the unfortunate ill-fortune to be a victim of ATOS and this Government, my crime …… suffering debilitating ill health and poor quality of life …… not assisted by the stress caused by ATOS, who summoned me for a medical, not carried out by a medically qualified person, asked to take them through a typical day …… to be constantly told that my information did not fit the parameters of their questionnaire ……. so would not be included …….
I had a job, a good job, one that I loved, but was unable to do due to ill health ….. that is the reality that too many face and for that we are penalised and scorned …. …..
Now if the time to stand up and be counted.
Brian Stenson . Fibromalgia, Osteoarthrits, Asthma, Temporamandibular Joint Disorder, Insomnia. Severe pain 24/7 I’m permanently medicated which makes me clumsy and/or pass out. Its not right to say that disabled people would be better off in work then reduce their money because they cant work> I was getting Income support £104pw Now I get ESA £99. How can they say we won’t be worse off? They have remover this years £5pw increase. We still need to pay bills & buy food!!
Karen Ibbotson
anone
Vanessa Rouse Sufferer of arthritis, CMP, DDD, fibromyalgia, depression and asthma.
Thank you for your care and concern
Hi Diane do you want your name on? Dxxx
Thank you for your care and concern. Where are our human rights in this country, we dont seem to have any if your ill or disabled anymore.
Richard Boorman
Philip Walkley
Labour’s silence on the attacks on the disabled has been deafening!
Carole
You cannot allow these assessments to continue to put people in to work that are not able to do it.
The spongers will find a way around the assessments, and those left in the system will be the genuine people who are not able to defend themselves against a flawed and biased procedure.
Cassidy Zombie (M.E sufferer, age 26)
Thankyou for caring
Lindsey Wharam
Bri Maxwell
Lorraine Bell
Very worried about what will happen to my two autistic sons in the future.
I agree with every word of this letter.
Jade Hanratty
Fully in agreement in this letter.
Suffer abuse nearly everyday! It’s frightening to go out alone.
My severely Autistic learning disabled child will have to go through this inhumane WCA when she reaches adulthood – please scrap it now.
totally agree
Go Sonia! Marilyn Fetcher BL2 5HW
Claire Spiers
I am responding to this as both a manager of an accessibility service and someone who is disabled, with a disabled partner. I have seen vulnerable people spiral into depression and suicidal ideation as a result of the Work Capability Assessment. It is hard enough being disabled in a society which favours the medical model of disability without being presumed guilty of fraud, labelled and bullied by ATOS and DWP.
Thank you for doing this.
Patricia Hughes
Heather Watson
Billy May
I am worried for my own future. I just see despair and have contemplated suicide thanks to this government.
Sheila Scoular
Samantha Jones
“…the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped. ” ~ Last Speech of Hubert H. Humphrey
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Darrell Goodliffe,
In full support of the letter.
Christina Cunningham,
Bill Cox
I had my Atos ‘medical’ after being unlawfully migrated from my ‘exempt category’ Incapacity Benefit. The process triggered an acute psychotic episode brought on by the anxiety. No time was given to receive reports from my Consultant Psychiatrist. I was put into the Work Related Activity Group of ESA. Despite being 61 years old and Diabetic with COPD and Bi-Polar Disorder. I am currently appealing the decision. I would like to see a clear repudiation by the leadership of the Labour Party of the slander, bullying and propaganda associated with this vile thuggery . They really should hang their heads in shame that it has taken them so long to challenge this clear injustice. They knew very well what was going on and their cowardice has made many disabled people question their commitment to equality and decency.
Lee Noon –
I have been feeling the same Kyron its so unfair. trying so hard not to worry too much but its really hard.. its been getting me really dipressed alot and usually i’m a very positive happy person and just want to keep going as best i can.. im a T4 Paraplegic paralized from below the nips and any amount of worry or anxiety can cause my body to deteriorate rapidly..ie pressure sores.. bladder infections..takes me a good hour to get out of bed with having to fight my leg spasms and pain in my arms.. then spend most of the morning/afternoon in the bathroom with double incontenence, so i only get the evenings free
then just looking after my little flat, every little task takes 2 to 3x more time and effort than able bodied people.. i know this because i was able bodied untill i was 22 (now 32) and then had an accident on my way home from work, so i wasn’t work shy, worked hard all my life until that nearly fatal accident..
like as if disabled people haven’t already got enough problems..its like having a 365 day a year job that i hate and can’t get out of….but i’m Gonna try and stay strong… we need to fight and get this sorted fast and stop the suffering of severely sick and disabled.
with all the disabled stuff i have to do everyday i just don’t have time or energy to work aswell.. life wouldn’t be worth living..and if my DLA goes i loose my car too so would be house bound
So basically they taking away my independence and anything good that was left in my life.. might aswell say “here you go mr Cameron, heres my wrists, kill me now” i know it sounds extreme but that is the way this government is making me feel, like they just want us to curl up and die
Thank you Sonia from the heart…for your support for vulnerable people, who live in fear..from day to day because of the ramifications of the welfare reform bill on disabled peoples lives,…They go through a door……to be assessed.. and yet again ..go back again….only…….some do not make it…….back through that door again……where have they gone…..comrade in the waiting room out side the door..cries…knows .fear,. her comrade a friend.gone forever. Fear again as ..she .sadly goes through that dreaded door …..wondering if she will ever make it through it again…..wondering why the sick are subject to hate, ridicule…..she sits on the dreaded chair…..and knows …..she is doomed…..to little money , perhaps homeless…..perhaps no money at all……no medicines…as no benefits ….can appeal….no money..not enough to live on..despair….the chair creaks bringing her back…yes a modern day chair…..but it may as well be a ducking stool , that is how she feels….she sighs….perhaps she should join her comrade….but then..her interview ends….as she goes back out the door……she says to a new waiting comrade….” we are one comrade….let us fight this atrocity now and let the world know ,”
I live in fear….what next….soon be my turn….cant cope multiple illnesses….sad….this has happened to my friends I see them slipping away each day….Know what that fear is like and adds to pain….it belongs to the past not 2012!!!!!!
I need a name is it just Patsy?
Patricia connor -hopkins
thanks
claire gribben supporting my husband with Fibromyalgia
PLEASE READ AND ACT ON THIS LETTER AND THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ,Mr Milliband,this needs serious attention.
Caroline Willett –
the UK is a dictatorship, we are on our second un elected PM now and he is a moron to boot ! send in the UN, we need help and we need it now, the BBC don’t seem interested in real news about real people, just banks.
This approach is quite obscene. The Labour Party MUST challenge what is going on. What kind of society do we live in if this is deemed acceptable?
Liz Borland
thanks…Dxxx
Bob Borland
thanks…Dxxx
Ian Sanders
JA Crossley
Please add my name to list
Dr Sue Davies
Of course the Poshboys are attacking the sick and long-term disabled: the calculation is they’ll find it hard to fight back and might conveniently die as a result of the stress and ill-treatment. The really black-humorous part is that the amount the Poshboys will save by this disgraceful behaviour wouldn’t buy you a used banker. However there’s no way they’ll have a go at the bankers because bankers are rich enough to fight back and are anyway their friends. I think we can assume that the Labour party is just as full of Poshboys as the Libdems and the Tories… Unless, of course, Labour can bring itself to do its job and act like a real opposition party.
Woops. Forgot my postcode.
In opposition to the Poshboys in power.
Patricia Finney,
Brian Merris
You have a new follower
Thank you but this is Sonia’s work
Dxxx
thanks…Dxxx
Jessica Hannar
I have suffered from ME/CFS for the past 12.5 years – at times so severe I couldn’t wash, feed or toilet myself. I have a condition that it IS possible to recover from but I need financial and medical support to do that. Medical support has been less than adequate for most of my illness. If I lost financial support I would be likely to deteriorate. I am still only 35 and if I was given adequate help now could theoretically go on to have a working life for the next 25-30 years. That is up to 30 years where I could be PAYING tax and contributing to society. This short-term cost-cutting of the current government makes me extremely angry – and desperate. I have my ESA ATOS medical next week.
As a mother with ME and a wheelchair user with a daughter with Aspergers the extra costs incurred that DLA just about covers makes our life just about bearable. I live in terror for when we are reassessed as all I’ve read means those with ME and autism are the ones the new system is failing. Frankly scared. Hardly cope now.
Wonderful letter, Sonia. A thousand thanks. Please add my name: Liz Crow
Please read the letter Mr Milliband, and ACT on it, this brutal government cannot be allowed to get away with this for any longer.
Sue Wilton
Teresa
I agree with every word in this letter. Please add my name.
Jacqui Chaloner
Emma Ducklin
I used to work for my local county council and have now been retired through ill health. I had to jump through hoops to get the right pension which is now what they call teir one, this is where i, according to the council cannot work for the rest of my working life! Yet with 2 assessments by ATOS (1 actually seen the other from a questionnaire that i filled in) I am suppossedly be able to work. I fall asleep talking to people i am in pain 24/7 i repeat myself consently it takes me ages to hold a conversation. I cannot sit or stand for any length of time. Fibromyalgia (the invisible disability) isnt just Fibro it also consists of 60+ other illnesses with it. The assessors at ATOS dont seem to consider this, just as long as we perform like monkeys, answering their questions and do their exercises. I am no longer entitled to EsA because of being in the work group i have had my years money and now should be working! I am now in the process of taking this to a tribunial i am not fit for work and never will be, no matter how much i would like to be able to go back to work, ( I have worked since i was 12 now 43 retired at 41). Does the Government really want those that are truelly ill in debt, commiting suicide because they cannot see anyother way out of their problems just to reduce the numbers on disability. Wot about those that can actually work that dont want to work what is the government doing about those people?
If I didn’t have family and 7 grandchildren I would commit suicide as I live in pain 24/7. But sadly my son committed suicide 11 years ago and I couldn’t possibly put my family through all that pain again. I am waiting for the resuts of my medical. But as I can use my fingers I guess I’ll be classed as “fit for work”.
J. Williams
Mr Milliband,
Can you please tell me why the chronically sick and disabled of this country are having to form the only opposition there is to the ideology of persecuting the vulnerable to save money and decimate the welfare state?
Isn’t being the Opposition what you get paid for on our behalf? If you support this assessment system then say so. If you don’t then say so. We need politicians with courage, decency and honesty.
If you bring back Purnell, the initial instigator of this vile system, the disabled will not want to vote Labour anymore than they will Tory.
Speak up or share the blame.
Richard Birmingham
Hazel Baker
Dear Ed Milliband
Please listen to the accounts of those people who receive DLA and adopt & promote policies that recognise their needs, including independent medical advice rather than a checklist designed to exclude many from state support for themselves and their dependants.
Ken Barker
Peter Wild,
Linda Redfearn
Adrian Mundy
great work by Sonia again standing up for us all in the “real” world!
Lesley Barrett
Reblogged this on Representing the Mambo and commented:
Good little open letter from a leftie blogger.
These are the sort of issues that will test whether the assertion that “Labour has changed” under Ed Miliband is true or not. The Tories policies on welfare and unemployment are vicious, cynical and being implemented by people with not the slightest empathy for how people less lucky (and it is a case of luck) than themselves are being forced to deal with an economic crisis not of their making.
Chris Grayling is a truly contemptible specimen. He wants to lecture us on the immorality of many benefit claimants and benefit fraud, when by rights he should be in prison for his expenses claims. It really is one rule for most of us and another rule entirely for Tory ministers, who seem to think they operate on another moral plane and can do exactly as they please.
Labour needs to bite the bullet, ignore the reactionary nay-sayers like Liam Byrne and Jim Murphy, defy the feral right-wing press and take a principled, humanitarian stand on the issue. We can but hope, anyway…….
craig mason
Lorraine Clarke
Kaliya Franklin
Ms. J. Chimes
Believing when govern make changes that affect a group of people, to talk to them beforehand about the proposed idea.
Cathy Trinder
Brian McAlorum
Hello, I’m just new at this techy stuff, just signed up to tweeter yestetday so I could sign Sonia’s letter. Is there anything else I need to do now or submit? Ta very much! @DrJings
No I’ve put your name on the letter… thanks for your support… Dxxx
The disabled were among the victims of Hitler too.
I have Fibromyalgia, High Bloodpressure and Cholesterol, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, back problems from years of nursing, severe cataracts, housebound, unable to stand to cook or lift pans, etc. I also have Reactive Depression, stress increases the problems of all these conditions! I am in the DLA process at the moment.
I have a son who has Hypermobility Syndrome, and possibly also Fibro, currently he is my unpaid carer.
Jill Malenoir
Kieran Malenoir
Caroline McKay
Life is hard enough as it is trying to recover what limited abilities I have left after my stroke eight years ago but now I have recently been referred to the Mental Health Team after the slow deterioration of my mental health due to no other than the constant ‘benefit scrounger rhetoric’ from the current government. I am made to feel fraudulant with the ‘fake illness sponger’ stories reported daily in the press with the inaccurate percentage of fraud tagged on for good measure and frankly I cannot cope with it all it has made me very scared and anxious to what this evil government are going to do to ‘us’ next. We, as disabled people need support form the opposition Mr Miliband but your silence is deafening.
I didn’t choose to become disabled, it chose me.
D. Keigher – Manchester –
I suffer from mental health problems and this Welfare Reform is making me worse.
S. Palmer
H.Patten
T.Smith,
Please help us….the inhumane treatment continues and we need help before more people die.
Cameron thinks this is all perfectly OK because he had all the money he needed to look after his son. The fact he was touched by disability yet remains so untouched by it is utterly sickening.
Eugene French . The weakest in our society are being made to pay for the excesses of the strongest.
Emma thornton
Sally Lambert
Already signed but I also +1 this sentiment.
Sue James
Andy Foss
Generalized Anxiety Disorder [incorporating....well - a lot!], COPD [emph type], Diabetes [with Neuropathy pos linked to Diabetes?], Strangulated Diaphram, Back Pain…..
L Atkinson
Eirlys Dafydd
and
Delyth Protheroe
Thanks
Ruth Gilchrist
Lin Lee – unrepresented as my MP ignores everything I say…..
Alex Anderson-Field
Iain Crosbee
M.E sufferers are living below the poverty line, dying from secondary causes or committing suicide out of sheer desperation caused by the disgraceful ignorance of the Government of their condition.
Cindy Nilsen
Fiona Symington
These cuts are affecting people who cant fight back,i have to go for an atos assesment next week,im terrified,is it worth me going?it seems as though they have already made there decision to stop anyone with mental heath issues from getting benefits,im suicidal after all i have been reading about atos,im housebound and have been told that i have got to attend a medical,i have severe issues about going out on my own.
R Skye
Sheila Campbell
Sonia Poulton
James Campbell
Kay Mears
Sally Davidson
Thanks…Dxxx
Please do something to help us, I have severe M.E. and my QOL is already very poor. Next the Coalition will be issuing vouchers for Dignitas.
t kent
I wholeheartedly agree with this letter. Something must be done to spot this disgraceful treatment of the sick and disabled. Why aren’t Labour attacking this unjust treatment?
Adrian Hindle
Katie thomson
Disabled; living in fear for past couple of years; having to take meds again.
If you are passing this wat, Mr. Milliband, please feel at liberty to drop by.
Colin-Roy Hunter Esq. B.Ed.(Hons.)
Rob Smith and Lynsey Smith disabled husband and wife both appealing against a totally stupid “fit to work” assessment
J KENT
Adrian Davidson
Simon Staskiewicz
Thanks…Dxxx
Chris Gregson
Grahamr
Agree.
Ivan Thomas
J B KENT
Margaret Rumney
37 years with depression which was only diagnosed 11 yrs ago as Dysthic Disorder, Allergic Rhynitis, Eczema, history od self harm, Hyper mobilty Syndrome; 28 with OCD, Emotionally unstable personality disorder, Major depressive illness, Gastric reflux, Anemia, Asthma, and irritable bowel, 20 with Friebergs Disease, High Blood pressure, Planter Faciitis, Fallen arches, 7 years approx finally get DLA. Then diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Bile Acid Malabsorption, and Irritable bladder. Was told not to report the changes by the DLA people as my benefit would be stopped while they investigated this and I might not be entitled to anything!! To the Governement since I was a kid to now – Thanks for naff all help until 7 yrs ago and then being told not to report my illness’s! Absolute shambolock that now your telling me that I’m placed on a work and employment support thingy and if I don’t turn up you’ll stop benefit anyway – cheers yet again. Just open a poor house up like olden days and be done wi it eh…………………… shambles !!
OOOPs, I’m in
Patrick Bent
Yes, I do have a disability.
The Labour Party Manifesto, Clause 4 (new) reads:
“The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone, so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many, not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.”
The Labour Party was started for the People, by the People. If the truth is that now the Labour party has been taken over by the Few, and the Freedom referred to in Clause 4 is available only to those who have the physical and mental health to work for a living, then please be honest about it so that we all know where we stand. 1.6 million disabled people have the vote. We would like to know which party to cast it for, and which Party Leader is willing to stand up for us.
postcode is
Joe Baxter
FRAZ ROBB
Pat Walker
Shirley Drabble
have watched as so many friends have gone through terrible stress before and during the process. I am on unlimited DLA past retirement age now so I don’t think it will personally affect me( though I can;t be totally sure any more!
I thought yes we need to cut costs but not to the detriment of sick people.
having enough of a struggle through life without this.
THis ATOS company need to be looked at very closely and the assessments conducted fairly.They should not receive monetary rewards for the number of people taken off incapacity allowance as they are so unfair in the process.
There has to be a different way to do this.
Christina Smith
Please support this Mr Miliband!, My Husband has a degenerative condition, but somehow 2 yrs after initial assessment for ESA an DLA his condition has miraculously improved, according to ATOS/DWP, even though it is obviously much worse, ATOS/DWP must be accountable for the suffering they are knowingly causing sick and disable people in Britain.
Teresa Bennett
Lyn phillips MS sufferer. Nervously waiting on a decision from my ESA50. I am in Support group at the mo, but for how long!
Joyce Barrass
I support the letter – Erik Zoha, Dundee
Janet Lewis
Jo Collin-Arbon
Dr Stephen M Carty
Olivia Short
A. Gonzalez
Mags Landers
Dear Mr Miliband,
Please be aware that it is virtually impossible under the current WCA process, for people with poorly understood relapsing and remitting illnesses like ME/cfs, to be assessed fairly. In such circumstances, there is nothing that one can do to avoid having to go to an appeal tribunal. The system is therefore failing thousands of people. Please seek to fix it.
Paul Watton
Elaine Tilby
Helga Warzecha
Mother of Danielle Greetham who died suddenly on 5th September 2011. She did not have to go through this inhumane system, but would have had she lived. It is an uncivilised society who could think up such cruel and unusual punishment to mete out to the dying, the chronically ill and the disabled of our society. It brings shame upon us all.
Leigh James, Disabled, Fibromyalgia & Major depressive disorder with severe anxiety amongst other issues. According to ATOS I will miraculously be cured within 12 months and fit to return to work despite the fact that I have an INCURABLE illness, am in pain 24 hours a day and cant leave my home alone. PLEASE please, something has to be done about this process and NOW. People really are dying because of this WCA and the results from it. We know welfare needs reform but this is Dickensian.
Tony James
Neil Wilson
Emma Rumney
Please also add my Partners name Paul Ferran, Carer)
Mark Romano
Caroline Richardson
Tim Ponting
Sandra White
Clare Dover
Flora Cumming
Valerie Dover
Amanda Dover
Craig Arnold
Paul Taylforth
..
Clare Palmer
Danielle Heybroek
Qui tacet consentit, Ed.
Why is this government trying to kill me?
Josie Meadows
Lydia Hendry
Diane Jones
Dear Ed
Sonia is right. You need to make a stand against the WCA as it is.
jennie Holland
V Jones
Rosanna Singler
Lee Berry
Gina Mayers
I fully endorse everything said in this letter. Mr Milliband, thousands of chronically sick and disabled people are desperate to hear you speak out against the iniquities of this government’s attacks upon their very right to live. It is no exaggeration to say we fear that a form of Nazism is looming in this country. We are terrified.
L. Duddington
Catherine Mosey
Victoria Tye –
Robert Hatton –
alfie sharrock
Agree.
Paul Trembath
Being directly affected by the WCA I feel I was treated in an inhumane and mechanical manner, I would question that ATOS/DWP knowingly put the lives of people in DANGER!!
Jacky Barfoot re add me as I was on the other one thats gone down, I have menieres and CRPS, spinal degeneration and fatigue, endometriosis and asthma.. the gov are keeping me existing on a pittance, and I keep been refused dla
Robin Thompson
Anne Gill
Robert Craig
Tony Gurney
Patricia Gledhill
Tony Britton Mr Miliband why are you sitting back and allowing the daily vile assault on those in our society least likely to be able to fight back ? Your deafening silence will make you open to the accusation of being complicit in the deaths of the ATOS victims. Is this what you entered politics for ? Thank god for the likes of John McDonnell and Tom Greatrex. Please get off your backside and do something.
Sandra Arnott
Jean Nash
Carl Grattage
Fully support this. Please Labour, instead of being scared of the backlash from the gutter press if you came out and condemned the terrible treatment of sick and disabled benefit claimants, do ALL you can to educate people about how the ‘benefit scrounger’ rhetoric is completely over-hyped and, in the vast majority of claimant cases, patently false.
Mr Milliband – you were brave enough to stand up to Murdoch over the phone hacking scandal. Now please, be brave enough to stand up to the ConDems and the gutter press over their demonisation of the sick and disabled.
And, on a related note, may I also urge caution on allowing Labour to be fooled into believing the Workfare scheme is in any way beneficial to jobseekers. It isn’t. It is slave labour. Pure and simple! Create REAL jobs. Offer claimants the COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY choice of volunteer work or work experience. Condemn the slave labour that is workfare.
Ian Young
Graeme Burrell
[ in case signature in original Google Doc has 'disappeared'
]
Reblogged this on yvonneparmenter and commented:
Yvonne Parmenter
Sign me up. Annie Makoff
Richie Young
Jenna Bielby,
Lynne Valentine
Paul Cardin
Katherine Carington Smith as someone who has been disabled with arthritis for over 12 years, it took me weeks to fill in the WCA form and I’ve been put in the work related activity group. I can’t travel to meetings or assessment interviews, I am incapable of travelling and in constant pain which prevents me from doing any work. There are days when it’s all I can do to feed the cat. I am unemployable because of the various problems which go along with my illness and disability. Filling in the form actually made me significantly more ill than I already was and I fear the future under this inhumane regime which seems to automatically assume I will get better in a few months. My condition will only worsen unless someone comes up with a magical cure which will shrink my grossly swollen joints and mend the defects on my spine. I am 60 this year, is it not a ludicrous waste of taxpayer’s money to harass me because I am disabled? Now also I live in fear of disability hate crimes because of the attitude of the UK government.
Sue James
Leon Carter
pamela sykes
Maggie Allen ADD, BPD, Anxiety osteoarthritis
Ann Plant,
Kirsty Townsley
Liam Sean McKnight
Andrew Broadfoot
Kate Miller
Emma Summers
Arthur Rough
Carole Reynolds
Kate Rough
C Smith
T Smith
T Smyth
Jacob Richardson.
Rik Mosely
Ian Jones aka EdwinMandella
stop vilifying the innocent sick and disabled!!
Gareth Parfittt
Andrea Stone
Frances Ridgway
Kevin Liversage
definately agree, sandra pritchard
Larain Shepherd
Jane Harker
I am another sufferer with Fibromyalgia. I have had counselling to come to terms with having a chronic illness that has no effective treatment & no cure.
I worked from the age of 14 until I had my son at 32. Just over a yr after having him I was diagnosed. I haven’t been able to be a proper Mum to him, he’s missed out on so much. Some days I can’t even walk him to the park.
Now I’m told I’m a ‘scrounger’ & I must prove that I am too sick to work.
How do you prove you suffer from extreme exhaustion? The sort of exhaustion where putting one foot in front of the other can be too much, where you are so tired you fall asleep while eating a bowl of soup with the spoon still in your hand, yet you cannot & do not sleep at night? The lack of sleep that leads to decreased mental cognitive function, where you cannot form words.
Please tell me how I’m a ‘scrounger’? I would love to work but I physically CANNOT do it!
There are not enough jobs for the able-bodied, where are the jobs for the sick?
Please stand up for us, protect us from this savage cruelty & tell this Coalition Government that we want & deserve to be treated fairly & with dignity!!
Tracy Edwards
Eugenia Ravens
Jill Hayward
totally agre Anthony Pritchard
Chris Dunn
Supporting anyone that has to deal with this inhumane system.
Emma Ashley
Im waiting my letter for outcome of ESA change over from incapacity, I scored myself as getting 54 points, but of course being mostly bed bound this does not mean I will score anything in the test never mind the required 15. If I have to appeal I double my chance if I turn up, being bed bound thats pretty hard thing to do! WIN WIN for dwp.
Louise Liu
opps im also
thanks
thanks
Enough. Time to stand up be counted.
thanks
Paul Hurwood
I have had Cerebral Palsy since birth and am unable to walk unaided. I have spent my entire life trying to come to terms with all the things I can never do – which includes becoming a mother. My husband cooks for me because it is too painful for me to stand for long periods of time and as you can imagine it isn’t easy to do one handed (when you need the other for support). I can’t get myself in and out of the bath, or carry things across the room.
If I lose my DLA the precious little independence I have (which I have fought to hold on to) will be gone. I won’t be able to get a taxi to doctors appointments, visit my friends when I feel up to it, and so many other things.
I will become even more of a burden on my wonderful husband than I already feel. I love being able to pay some of the household bills too. It might sound silly, but I treasure being able to do that so much. It helps me feel like a normal wife – a normal person.
This government has taken away most of my self esteem by painting me as a ‘Scrounger’ and lying about figures. I now feel even more worthless than I’ve ever felt before. I am someone’s wife, someone’s sister, someone’s daughter. I am not just a number on a page – none of us are. I’m exhausted and in pain every single day of my life. That won’t stop until the day I die! Can you not see that we suffer enough?!
The extra anxiety about facing an assessment has sometimes made me physically sick. I have sobbed in my husband’s arms. I did not ask for this. I’m terrified…and I haven’t even had a date for it yet, but it’s hanging over me, adding to the depression and anxiety I already feel.
I just want my self respect back and the truth told. I would give anything in the world for that.
Please don’t ignore us.
thanks
Jane Russell
No more Labour or Tory.
Oops! My postcode –
Helen Sims.
Nicholas Csergo
thanks
Yvonne Buckingham
john forwell
Daniel Wheeler.
- SADLY THIS AREA IS NOW TORY WE USED TO HAVE A GOOD LABOUR MP, I FULLY SUPPORT REMOVING ATOS LIKE REMOVING SOMETHING NASTY OFF A SHOE, HAVE CAUSED NOTHING BUT MISERY, AND DEBT, PERSONAL AND NATIONAL
R.T.Dudley
Hi Roger… Dxxx
Paul Clark
Nia Jenkins
Claire Schiavone
Richard Parsons,
I have Dsyfuntional Brain Disorder, i suffer with non epileptic seizures walking and balance problems,weakness, i spend most if my life in bed now its not very nice then i have go through this with atos and dwp! i can hardly leave my house, they dont know the root cause of this illness, i’ve been like this for nearly 2 years, i’ve even been refused treatment & therapy after all the years ive paid my taxes and thats how i get treated!! Disgusting!! the government should be ashamed of themselves especially D Cameron, he should know what its like his son was disabled how dare you put us through this you dont care about anyone but yourself and your own pocket!!!
My Husbands ESA/DLA have both stopped, even though he has a degenerative condition, was unfit to return to work 2 yrs ago, but then a miracle happened ATOS made him healthy again! and the DWP stopped his benefit, then DLA/ATOS Doctor came to our home and fabricated answers given by Husband and low and behold DLA has also been stopped, now my Husband is a prisoner in his own Home as he can only walk about 25 metres at most without chronic pain, and would find it too painfull to take public transport, and we are now without income so taxis are out of the question… And all this is legal is it,? the ill treatment of the sick and disabled that is being perpetrated by this Government is CRIMINAL! Please support the Disabled and their Carers.
Adam Lotun WDA / Workplace Disability Adjustments – Disability Risk Management & Reasonable Adjustments Consultant
Lindsay Barlow
Shaaba Lotun
Tehya Lotun
Tazanna Lotun
Mohammed Salim
Zobie Salim
Eman SAlim
Peergawsan Lotun
Zoubedah Lotun
Bob MacDonald Labour Party Member.
I agree with every word of this Letter, and fully expect Ed to support this.
Zoe Hughes
Jane Young
I signed the letter last night but understand it was hacked!
Kay Vine
Totally agree, Mr Miliband please stand up for what is right.
Christopher Fairnington
g ward
My postcode is.
g ward
Sonia Poulton wrote Impartial Common Sense.
DAVID SHAW
Margaret Philipson
Sonia Poulton wrote Impartial Common sense.
thanks
Adrian Cooper
Tracy Harman
Christine Harman
David Harman
I have multiple sclerosis. I have had it for more than 15 years. I sleep more than 12 hours a day (and that doesn’t count the times I fall asleep when I watch television or the naps I have to take). I regularly fall over and rely on strangers to help me get up. I also get trigeminal neuralgia frequently and a few months ago had had it 24/7 for a year and a half. The pain of TN is extreme. Atos doesn’t count pain or fatigue. The tick-box test is ridiculous. Yes, I can raise an arm over my head with no problem, but only if it’s straight up …. if the angle is increased by a few degrees, I can’t do it.
Linda Pugh- suffer from hypermobility syndrome, complex pain syndrome and autonomic nervous system dsyfunction, – resigning
Gerald A Cooke
Fibromyalgia, arthritis , IBS doing my best to stay in work, no quality of life, pain, tiredness and depression – but as benefits are being so harshly cut for those who desperately need them I have to stay in work until I drop…….and then what (feel hopeless)
DONNA WILSON
Helen Neary Fed up being, An victim of being victimised by my own government. For being disabled, which I can not do nothing about. Thought the government did not stand for bullying but to me they are the real culprits and bully’s behind my plight and many other too.
Gill Clark
Jeff Fox Totally support this
Jane Hatton
John Beer
Supporting the ideals that Labour should have – and tolerating what ATOS do to the sick and disabled are incompatible. Please campaign for change.
Helen Wojciechowski
John Wojciechowski
I was dismissed from my post when I became chronically ill.
I applied for ESA when I ran out of sick pay and was told I had no limited capacity to work and to negotiate a return to work with my employers – who were already going through the dismissal process on the recommendations of HR and their own Occupational Health Doctor.
Shortly after the the WCA found me fit for work my employment was terminated and I applied for an enhanced pension on grounds of ill health. I used the identical information to apply as I had previously used for the WCA.
My application was accepted without reservation and I was granted the highest possible enhancement of my pension.
I was one of the lucky ones Mr Milliband – what are the Labour party doing on behalf of the people, like me, who are falling foul of this draconian tick box system that takes absolutely no account of the fact that for some people work is absolutely out of the question no matter how much they would like to be in employment?
I worked for more than 35 years and was gutted to lose my job and livlihood to a deeply debilitating health condition with no effective treatment or prognosis.
It’s time someone in a position of power and responsibility took note of the DWP figures which suggest that the vast majority of applcations for ill health benefits are completely genuine and spoke up loudly on behalf of the people who make up those statistics.
Mr Milliband I hope that person turns out to be you
Sue Marsh
Labour know they have to face up to this. Tinkering around the edges of this is not enough.
so had my dla taken from middle care and low mob to low care even though the evidence pointed otherwise and was stated in my letter “even though your symptoms are the same/similar i have decided that you no longer qualify for these rates so a pen pusher at the other end of a phone can decide my fate having not met me and who like many know nothing about my illness its a joke
I fully support this letter. The treatment of the very ill is barbaric and inhumane. This country should be ashamed of the inhumanity.
Ooops! Forgot my postcode
Selina Postgate
I support Sonia Poulton letter to Ed Milliband from Sue
I will also add that my patient helpline was contacted by an anonymous ATOS assessor who was distressed to be ordered to remove support from those she knew to be very sick. She stated that she was very concerned to be forced to inform people with severe ME that they were fit for work. She asked if we could stop this persecution of the sick. At least one ATOS worker has a conscience.
Dear Ed Miliband,
I am a political activist, partly because I studied political history for O Level.The rise of the Labour Party, the party of the poor and vulnerable was really inspirational for me. The party of the NHS, the welfare state. NOT the party of neoliberalism that it has become. PLEASE take Labour back to it’s routes and admit WCA was a mistake and join us in the fight to get rid of it.
PLEASE support Tom Greatrex’s motion on the 4th September. ATOS, the DWP, Tory & Labour governments are killing disabled people. It’s time to stop.
Virginia Moffatt
Being a natural Labour supporter I am giving you and your party the benefit of the doubt that you truly thought ESA and the WCA would rescue disabled people and help them back to work.
But after Dispatches and Panorama you can no longer possibly cling to the belief that the system is benign.
The truth is that there were already tough assessments in place before the WCA (the OECD called them the toughest in the world). There were already schemes to help disabled people into work, if they were able to do some work. The rhetoric of sick and disabled people “languishing on benefits” or “being written off” under Labour is quite false.
You shouldn’t let the Tories get away with depicting Labour as begetting the “culture of entitlement”. Just as you shouldn’t let them keep blaming Labour for the state of the economy.
The WCA has been exposed as an immoral spending reduction regime. As Kaliya Franklin said (Independent Blogs) it callously fails to distinguish between a disabled person who, with the right support, AND THE RIGHT KIND OF JOB MARKET, could do some work, and a terminally or chronically sick person who has had to give up work and faces only the prospect of worsening health with the horror of endless reassessments and appeals for financial survival . The idea of mandating them to Work Programmes in CV writing or shelf stacking just adds insult to injury.
You have to admit to the mistakes of James Purnell and take a stand against the WCA. Otherwise history will judge you badly for your silence and complicity. It’s not just about a rap over the fingers to Atos. The whole system is toxic.
Tracey Cooke
sonia dight
thanks
This can’t be right in anyone’s estimation. We expect a Labour leader to stand up for and protect the rights of disabled people. Silence will not cut it
from 1 of their victims
This has to STOP Ed
Siân Harris,
STOP THE MADNESS!
Emma Fowler, Have EDS type 3, POTS, ME (since age 8/ 22yrs and counting) and BPD.
Russell Dunkeld (“Fit for work” with Leukaemia) Morecambe, Lancs.
Paula PETERS,
Get Labour re-elected on what it does not because of what the coalition has done.
Diane Joh .
Diane Howells
Vicky Ayling
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (a progressive neurological condition causing severe pain), Fibromyalgia, Dysautonomia, Hypermobility Syndrome among many other conditions.
Why would I give up a well paid, well loved job as a clinical pharmacist for the NHS to live on benefits if I had a choice? The WCA is not fit for purpose and failing many many people with genuinely severe disabilities. Worse, if you manage to [metaphorically at least] jump thro all the DWP hoops, you are immediately plunged back into the assessment process….surely a waste of money for those with progressive conditions. Certainly harrassment of those least able to deal with it. Worse still, the hatemongering of the current government, and rise in hate crimes as a result. Disgraceful.
M Wojtaszek
Steven Roberts
What a nasty piece of work that by that hacker! but we will not be beaten! Way to go Sonia!
P Davis
David Kerrell
Joanna Adams.
L Homayon-Jones
Lynn Davies
Graham sweeting
Samantha Walshe
L Homayon-Jones
joanne hayes
Celia Lawton-Livingstone
Yvette Broadhurst
Sandra White
I am one of those who has been affected by this and I appreciate what is being done here on our behalf
Cheryl Moncrieffe
Brian Dempsey
35 years of age and thankfully never been off work or prevented from working through illness. But appalled at the punishment of the sick and vulnerable meted out by the Government and ATOS.
tamsin hurst
Michelle Nix
I’m a mental health support worker, unable to work currently due to chronic ill-health, currently waiting for tribunal for DLA following a report from an ATOS doctor which was full of inaccuracies, misrepresentation and downright lies. Just waiting for WCA now. Do they not think I would rather be doing the job which I love???? Come on Labour, I’ve always supported you – now is definitely the time to step up to the plate!!!!!
We genuinely do have a big problem with scroungers in this country who simply cannot be bothered to work, and live off the taxes I pay, earned by working full time. This problem should be dealt with sooner rather than later. However, the actions of the dishonest minority should not result in the genuine majority being effectively punished.
Michael D Hawkins
Charles Forth
Tracey Sheppard
J Harrod, – I have MS and just had to leave a job after 2 1/2 years because the stress and lack of support precipitated my worst relapse since my diagnosis in 2003.
Tim Leahy
angela mackay
Dominique Payne
Peter Ellis,
Charles Gormley
Since a small child I have been beaten and kicked, spat on, for being paralysed and being in unbearable pain throughout my whole body yet still this government says I am ‘making it up’. I cannot get DLA to repair my mobilioty scooter, I live on handouts from friends and work in agony, often from my bed, for as little as a pound an hour to make ends meet. Even though sick in my teens I earned major money and made companies massive profits. But no… I am making this up to live in poverty. The Atos doctor who came to asses me in my home didn’t mention all the medication I’m on, didn’t mention my NHS wheelchair, mobility scooter, etc but he DID mention my dyed hair 4 times in his report and moved my doctor’s surgery 100 metres so it looked like I walked long distances to get there (my doc’s report said about my attendning in my chair anyway)! Due to lies I am in a terrible place and those that do this, including the Atos doc and Atos itself, make huge amounts on the back of my suffering. The last tribunal I had I was shouted at. I knew more about the relevant laws than the solicitor heading the tribunal and I said that I would have the right to appeal and watse the country’s money id he ignored me and the law…. he ignored me, the courts granted me the right to appeal…he got his considerable wages and the country is left pciking uyp the tab. He will never be admonished or penalised… I am being left without monies to live on. I have a home help in 7 days a week, and NHS wheelchair, have never had children because I could never care for them. but not entitled to disability monies to live on. I can’t fight anymore…. done so since I was a child and the beatings, when does it end?
Sorry, I’m
Loraine North
Donna McDonald
Sarah Long
ANOTHER FIGHT TO KEEP SOME DIGNITY AND SELF RESPECT. GOOD LUCK WITH THIS LETTER.
agree with everything said, a right mess
Chrissy Hunter
I am disabled and work as an employment advisor on the work programme. I am regularly shocked at the number of seriously disabled people forced to participate in this when they are clearly unfit for work. Some are waiting for major surgery, others have serious mental health isssues and I have to drag them in every fortnight and talk to them about what sort of work they think they can do. Whilst I firmly believe that disabled people who are able to work should do so, I think it is ridiculous to expect employers to hire anybody waiting for major surgery who will soon be on the sick long term. My very limited and valuable time (I carry a caseload of 100 peplease do not publicise my identityople) could be far better spent working with the people who are the real scroungers and others who are able to work and who need help finding a job than be paying lip service to these seriously ill people who should be in the support group. I would be grateful if you don’t publicise my details thank you.
I wworked without a break for over 40 years. During that time I paid many thousands of pounds in tax and N.i. I am now 64 years of age, sick for 7 years with M.E. and because I am on benefits I am a “scrounger”? I PAID MY DUES! I feel I am owed some compassion and a little bit of the money I PAID IN to help those who went before me. God help thode who come after me!
also oops
caroline brown . I have been through so many appeals and even been as far as the upper tribunal. I met with an upper tribunal judge and the report he wrote was in my favour, and described my hearing with the tribunal judges as flawed, and a breach of the law. I have fibromyalgia, depression, ocd, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome. As part of the fma I have muscle spasms which sometimes are so bad in my face I cant talk. I am in the work related group of esa. I felt lucky that I was in that group than knocked off again, until I read the atos report of my assessment which was a contradiction of everything the doctor said to me
Julie Chapman
(Disabled)
Fiona Geoff makes valid points. This would save money, reduce stress on people who are really too sick to work. And why make people work till 65-68 when so many young people need a job.
Are MP’ so out of touch with what is really going on. The Jobcentre is a joke, SEETEC (back to work program provider) doesn’t train anyone, they just stress people out and suck mega bucks from the goverment for programs that dont work. You cant get a job if there are NO jobs. If able bodied people cant get a job, what chance do we have?
heather brown
Mike Caits
thanks
Hugh Wark
Caroline Verner Psoriatic Arthritis, Post thrombotic syndrome. The ATOS doctor didnt know what Post thrombotic syndrome was so wouldn’t include it in my examination.
thanks
OJ Brookes
I also signed yesterday on the original letter, but am glad to do so now on this replacement letter. I’ve voted Labour all of my life, (except once, for tactical purposes in a Tory stronghold) and I believe that we need to stop being diverted from socialist ideals in the hope that capitalism will improve things from the top down. That’s been given a long trial period since Thatcher and through Blair. It’s failed miserably.
We need a leader to stand up for justice, fair play and compassion for those in society who have fallen by the wayside, through illness or misfortune. Socialism is an ideal which must no longer be kept down to pacify the banking system and global corporations – we are human beings, not robots.
“There but for the Grace of God go I ” is a maxim which should be deep in our hearts. I know from my own experiences what disasters can fall on those who lose their livelihood through illness, having had ME/CFS for 27 years. I know what it’s like to never have a holiday, to wear second-hand clothes and never go out for entertainment or socialisation because every penny is accounted for. Those of us who are sick long for the chance or the ability to work alongside our healthy fellows, yet we haven’t even got the strength or the wherewithal to barter and trade or do favours and gain mutual support from the rest of society. We need extra allowances above the most basic levels just to survive and to pay for help in doing even the smallest tasks which others take for granted.
Travelling to hospital costs money, even parking there costs so much when you live at this level. I’m on the old incapacity Benefit, and I’m dreading the day when the ESA forms arrive. I’m also dreading the day when the new PIP scheme begins and probably takes away my DLA. If I fail the criteria, which will undoubtedly be very severe and administered in the similar way to the DWP’s instructions on ESA/WCA, then I know that years of dire poverty will stretch out before me – probably no more Internet, no more antibiotics (I have Lyme disease, which the NHS refuses to treat), and no switching on the heating when my body temperature drops. All this makes the idea of life ahead really frightening, and the illness is already terribly painful, and isolating.
Mr Milliband, I ask you to please stand up for the socialism and the compassion that blossomed after WW2 and which made Britain a really great country.
Suzanne Langstaff
Amanda Workman
I fully agree with Sonia’s point outlined in her letter. The ATOS assessment is a national disgrace. It is appalling. It should be scrapped instantly.
David Newman
thanks
Nick Hughes BH25 5UN
Dear Ed, can you find a job for a 58yr old black man with dreadlocks, who now has mental issues and mobility problems due to a stroke ? He was a HGV driver. Camerons goverment thinks he can get a job, what planet are they on ? Continued assesments make him more stressed, he scores 0 even though his doctor says he is not fit for work. Does Cameron really think we would prefer to be on £111 p.w rather than go to work and get 4 times as much ?
. 38 years of severe mental illness
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS LETTER. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT AS YET HAD CONTACT WITH ATOS BUT FROM NEXT YEAR MY D.L,A WILL START TO BE ACESSED BY THEM. I HAVE 2 CONDITION’S WHICH DOCTORS CAN NOT MAKE THERE MIND UP ABOUT THE NAME , THE CAUSE, THE NOT EXITENT CURE F.N.D AND NON.EPILEPTIC.ATTACK.DISORDER . ——-
BUT BOTH MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER HAVE. MY HUSBAND AS A PROLASPS DISC WITH 2 DISC’ S DEGENERATING AND HAS UNDER GONE 2 GANGLING BLOCK INJECTION IN TO THE SPINE. BUT HE GOT NIL POINTS FIT FOR WORK —
MY DAUGHTER HAS JUST HAD HER ACCESSMENT LAST WEEK SHE HAS P.T.S.D. / CONVERSION DISORDER . SHE IS 6 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAS S.P.D USE’S 2 CRUTCHES BECAUSE OF S.P.D . HAD LETTER YESTERDAY SAYING SHE HAS TO ATTEND WORK RELATED INTERVIEWS, IF SHE DONT ATTEND E.S.A WILL STOP. ALSO TOLD THAT SOON AS SHE HAS DELIVERED BABY SHE WILL BE FIT FOR WORK. SO MUCH FOR MOTHER /BABY BONDING .—-
I’m sure that what the lady says above is not true. There must be an error in the job centre’s computer information. Even this government are not expecting women to work until the child turns five (it used to be 7, which in my view shows a lot more concern for the children). Your daughter should be entitled to I.S and other benefits I believe. I would see the CAB.
I do wholeheartedly support the contents of the open letter. Stop vilifying the sick and disabled. In a democratic country shouldn’t we all care for each other in times of need?
Im sure you cant be forced to work till your child is five… and yes she needs to visit a CAB… Dxxx
Lucia Tkacikova
Petra Hoffmann,
H Elson
M Thomson
J Thomson ex Royal Marines, medically discharged after 23 years due to service acquired injuries. Diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis (badly affecting fingers, wrists, toes, ankles & hips) about 5 years after leaving service. WCA for transfer from IB last year scored 0 won appeal March 2012 scoring 24 and placed in WRAG. Less than 2 months later sent another ESA50 now yet another stressful wait to hear what happens next!
Jackie Hough
thanks
Claudia Oxer
disabled single single Mother of three small children…
Kristy Barker
T Winterton
Please listen to the people
Z Keeling
lets hope ed will do the job we all hope he can do
this government seems hell bent on social genocide
Fiona Bruce
In what world is it acceptable to treat ill and vulnerable people in such an appalling way. The level of stigma and hatred, fear and stress I have been forced to live with in the last 18 months or so has made my illness far, far worse. It is bad enough to have to live with the chronic pain, exhaustion and limitations of being chronically ill and disabled, without being treated like some kind of criminal. It must also be remembered that illness and disability are not the same thing. Someone who is disabled may well be able to work with support and adaptations in the workplace. Someone with a debilitating illness is not able to do that. People don\’t seem to be able to grasp that distinction. Labour must stand up and fight for us or go down in history as the party that stood by and allowed these atrocities to happen. Have the guts to admit Labour got it wrong with the WCA and ESA. it is way past time for you to speak out on these issues, and not only speak out , but ACT.
Sarah Ismail
The Labour party needs to be more vocal on this and many other issues. The Coalition is teetering and now needs more shoving to really set it rocking
Oops i’m IN Cornwall
Margaret Greig
Thomas Butler () – Labour & Co-Op Party Member –
Unite Union Regional Disability Committee (Member)
Former employee of Mencap Liverpool – a charity that worked with people with learning disabilities, some of whom had been victim to ATOS assessments.
Personally I suffer from Aspergers Syndrome and have past experience of being assessed by ATOS.
I am SERIOUSLY CONCERNED for individuals with Downs Syndrome/Learning Disabilities and Autism particularly going through a flawed Benefit & Medical Assessment process.
Not only is the eligibility and medical assessment process utterly piss poor and costing the taxpayer a tonne of wasted money- even the SUPPORT component of the benefit – either to assist the individual in finding a job (only 8% of people with learning disabilities have a job) – has a pathetically low success rate for moving a claimant WHEN THEY FEEL READY (unliked the Co-ercion process used right now) into employment, as well as poor feedback about the support and advice from the individual themselves.
What we need is an assessment that is done by NHS Specialists/Doctors- with care,compassion and a respect for the individual and, yes, a degree of pragmatism – with encouragement if the person lacks confidence or is worried about how they’d deal with their own disability if they where at work….instead of accusing them of ‘milking the system’ which the process basically does now along with the media and many of the gullible general public.
Then we need the actual benefit – ESA/Incapacity – to be based NOT around being ‘too sick’ for work – but NEEDING MORE SUPPORT and help to get a job and into work. The average person with Aspegers/Autism takes 18 Months – THREE YEARS to get a job – yet such a timescale out of work on Jobseekers Allowance would render them liable to sanctions which would only worse their condition and make them more vulnerable.
We need essentially a new Jobseekers Benefit SPECIFICALLY for and with the needs of disabled people taken into account…….then a specific group for individuals who are severely disabled or terminally ill.
Remove co-ercion – remove conditionality – and make the DWP and their advisors actually start SUPPORTING people than beating them with a stick.
All these concerns and requests I hope The Labour Party, Ed Milaband and the Shadow Cabinet take note of and listen to before the situation gets even worse than it already is with many benefit claimants having already committed suicide.
Anna B-D
peter stewart
Bob Irving
SONIA POULTON – THIS MAY BE OF INTEREST TO HELP YOU ASK SOME AWKWARD QUESTIONS
From the Equality & Human Right Commission website THE PARTS MARKED **** ARE ESPECIALLY INTERESTING
Article 27 Work and employment
Article 27 says:
Disabled people have the right to earn a living through work that they freely choose and in workplaces that are accessible and inclusive.
Governments should promote this right to work by:
ensuring disabled people are protected against discrimination in employment and are entitled to reasonable adjustments
ensuring disabled people can access work experience
ensuring disabled people enjoy fair working conditions, the same union rights as others and protection against harassment
employing disabled people in the public sector
promoting career development for disabled people including through access to training opportunities
promoting self-employment and employment in the private sector
supporting disabled people to stay in or get back to work.
****Disabled people should be protected against forced or compulsory labour.****
What does this mean?
This is not a right to employment, but a duty on government to create conditions which promote the equal opportunities for disabled people to start earning a living through work.**** It is also a protection against being forced to work****, and it gives disabled people right to access and non-discrimination in work. It could be used to demand more action to address discrimination during recruitment.
AS YOU CAN SEE THE LAW STATES THAT DISABLED PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOUR & IS ALSO PROTECTION AGAINST FORCED WORK – SO WHY ARE THE GOVERNMENT KNOWINGLY & DELIBERATELY BREAKING THIS LAW???
I HAVE ALSO EMAILED IT TO YOU VIA YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE WITH A LINK, JUST IN CASE YOU DON’T SEE IT HERE. I ALSO EMAILED THE EHRC IN APRIL TO ASK WHY IF THIS IS THE LAW, THE DWP/ATOS ARE FORCING DISABLED PEOPLE TO WORK, GOT A REPLY SAYING SHE WOULD SEND A FULL REPLY, BUT JUST REMEMBERED, I NEVER DID GET ONE, SO HAVE EMAILED A REMINDER THIS EVENING.
Craig Davis
Pam Southernwood
Jim Hall
Carol Franklin
Rachael Kirby full time carer for husband who has been ill for the past 15 years since we were both only 25 years old. Sick & tired of all the lies in the press & labelling us all as feckless, workshy, scroungers. Where would the Government be without us who care? Life is tough & this Government are making it worse.
May common sense and decency prevail.
Thank you for highlighting the truth about disability and Labours disgraceful lack of interest and compassion GeForce those in need
Richard Allardice
Hi Im Steve Clark in
Mark Thompson
Katie Godfrey
Furthermore we, the disabled community would request any future Labour Government set up a Royal Commission into the discrimination, hate crime, media coverage, employment, inclusion in wider society and experience of the welfare system for Disabled people.
Amanda Adlem
Mr Milliband, your admission that the ATOS system was a mistake (even if it WAS Labours creation) and your condemnation of it, will only win you votes in the next election. It’s a very sensible position to take. Please stand up.
I fully support this letter.
Molly Clery,
Ian Warner
Effric Smith
Beverley Rawsthorn
Paige Rawsthorn
People who have disabilities or are sick do not ask to be that way, life is difficult enough we shouldn’t have to go through these humiliating and degrading forms and WCA’s for help and support of ESA and DLA. Figures of less than 0.5% fraud are reason to celebrate not attack the majority of us who do genuinely need the help. We are not scroungers and we have worked and we have families, we have things to show for our lives and have that right. Turning on disabled and sick people and taking their help and support away is a sign of weakness as for as I am concerned, an easy way out. I hope you are going to man up and put a stop to all of this mess and show the rest of the world we are a Great country, we do take care of our vulnerable, we have a social security system to beat all others, we are a civil society, we are going to move forward not backwards we are Great Britain.
Mike Steel
T Robbins
thanks
Christopher Hoggins
Philip Howard
Gavin Miller
Alayne Krawczyk
Mark Krawczyk
Alan Marshall
Shannon Petrie
Darren Nelson
Margaret R Keavey
Eddie Keavey
thanks
Ian Warde
All this apparent Corporate Nazi attitude towards welfare and particularly the new ESA can be traced back to one man namely celebrity stock market parasite David Freud, who Gordon Brown hired to reform the benefits system. Freud left Labour in a ” hissy fit ” and defected to the Tories who welcomed him with open arms and made him Lord David Freud. Its this unelected guy who is dictating welfare policy in the UK, IDS was only a figurehead lent credibility but a study he was alleged to have undertaken. Nevertheless, its no excuse for Chris Grayling to be a wannabe Himmler, and the Labour party under Ed Miliband would appear to endorse current government policy, they are all ( including the soon to be obliterated Lib-Dem’s and growing UKIP ) just as Corporate Nazi as each other !
Gill Food
Like Jane Young, I also signed this last night via google docs but if it was hacked I want to make sure my name is added, so am putting it here too. Thank you for speaking out Sonia.
hi …..i’m not a person to notice much around me normaly but i have noticed a change in how ppl look at me, i believe the government is insighting hatred and breeding total contempt for the sick and disabled ..along with the misconception of the the money we are paid. i earned £2000 pm that was 1994…so i’m sure they should understand we do not want to be ill sick money is not nearly close to my wage and the pride i had. People need to try and live on sick pay for a fair period of time and then see if they think ppl like to be ill.
thanks
Wendy Allcock
http://www.facebook.com/notes/fiona-goffe/is-this-government-actually-trying-to-kill-people-off-i-would-ask-you-to-think-a/10150958491456356
Lucy Benoit 10 years of fibromyalgia and depression. Can’t look after my daughter (who lives with my mum) and can’t look after myself but keep getting found fit to work even though i am in constant pain from head to toe.
Melanie Eggleton
signed earlier today but this may now not be showing
Ooops should be Bateman
Mike sherry
Rachel, might not look ill but desperately ill inside, Disabled suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy… completely incurable, but according to ATOS i will be cured and fit for work despite needing an ICD to ensure my life continues!
DL5 area
Yvonne Parmenter
mtb matty
I support the letter
Tracy bayliss
Marion Ring
JANE THOMAS
Toks Timson
Ruth Mobbs
David Haymes,
Totally agree with the contents of this letter. Bengu Shail, cancer patient, charity worker and former documentary maker.
Mr Milliband…… Take heed………………This nonsense has to stop and the ball is in your hands. You have the power to make a difference.. one that matters.. Please examine your conscience.
G Franckeiss-Moor
Craig Diver, Ive got an ATOS assessement due in a few weeks!
Good Luck Craig! X
Rob Spiller
Sue Howley
Dez Gray
Please do all you can, please, please
Dawn Mckenna
I added my name before but someone said it had been hacked so adding it again. Just in case. Oh and can you add Ann Rigby too? Thanks
Sarah Thompson
My partner is a long-term sufferer of ME. We dread the day her assessment comes and the likely impact on her health and our life together. Like many of this government’s policies, it has little to do with improving life in the UK and everything to do with ideology… there is a special corner of hell for those who prey on those less fortunate than themselves!
Anya-Nicola Darr
Please add my name, Claire De Marinis,
Alastair Kemp
Katerina Hatjipanagioti
Dan Harding
(carer/partner)
Thank you Sonia.
Mikey Ellis
Margaret Cox
Phil Saint
Lee Piarroux –
Claire Sparey
Paul Sparey
Pauline Jenkins
Myself, my husband and my mum who agreed on the phone for me to add her as well
I signed the letter last night, so I am no resigning 
James Runnalls
Thank you lovely Debbie for stepping in and helping me with this. Your initiative, and hard work since, is most welcome especially with all the problems we have suffered with Google Docs. Thank you everyone for signing. This letter started off as a Facebook status because I was upset after watching Dispatches and Panorama. I had no idea it was going to go viral. I thought I would get maybe a 100 or so of my mates to sign it with me and then I would write an article about it. That was the original plan! I have been in touch with Mr. Miliband’s office and requested a time to drop the final letter and signatures off to him, I am still awaiting a response. I know this much, it won’t be going by e-mail or post no matter what. Thank you all again for supporting it. I have extended the deadline for signatures until this Friday at midday. Thank you and take care x
Thank you Sonia for being “the name” behind this and the articles you write. We need more well known people to speak out.
It is time for Ed to stand behind his “predator capitalism” speech. That is what Atos is. Making over £1 Billion from British taxpayers to do the “morally repugnant” bidding of a repugnant government. Both the government and Atos know people have died. They know the years of living in fear among the sick and disabled but they don’t care – because there is money to be made and money to be saved for a millionaire’s tax cut.
thanks
Debbie Short
Hannah Mitchell
Dear Mr MIliband,
Help us… Old and new Labour gone… FAIR LABOUR, HONEST LABOUR, JUST LABOUR, COMPASSIONATE LABOUR… WE ARE HUMANS …….. THE TORIES ARE EVIL VERMIN….BEVIN SAW… I IMPLORE YOU TO SEE ……… WHAT THEY TRULY STAND FOR PLEASE……
Raymond Shemilt
Please Ed do somehing about this attack on the genuine disabled
I am disabled and I like most other disabled do support change but sensible change fair change, please help us, you will double your support if you make a commitment to make this system fair. There is no good sitting on your hands waiting for the Condems to do the dirty work even if it was Labour who started it, WHAT MAKES YOU MORE COMPLICIT IS KEEPING QUIET NOW!
Andrew Wade
The cruelty and callousness of this coalition government towards disabled people is truly sickening, as is the influence of this on general public attitudes and on media representations of us as scroungers and as burdens on the tax payer. It is becoming increasingly frightening to go out. But none of this is particularly surprising. We can expect little more of such a right wing government and press.
For me, Mr Miliband, the surprise is in your silence. I was one of the people excited by your election as party leader. I thought that the reason you had taken such a huge step as to undermine your brother’s ambitions was because you had ideas of a worthwhile leadership. That you wanted to lead a labour party with integrity. It seems I was wrong.
Come on Mr Milliband. Show me I wasn’t.
Amore Lee
Labour Party must show as much commitment to this as they do to keeping the NHS
Carol Field
Sue Brock
Gavin MacGregor
multiple sclerosis sufferer (invisible illness? my 12 year old son doesn’t think so!)
Pamela Hartley M mother of a disabled teenager, Extremely worried about his future.
Rachel Gordon-Smith
Colin-Roy Hunter
Brendan Kelly
Totally support this !
Annette Edmondson , on behalf of my son for the future, and for everyone suffering at the hands of this Government.
thanks
CAMERON is not only the PM he is MY MP..he has visited us here at home some years back re disabilty issues and my young daughter…hypocryte..say one thing ..do another! My daughter is now suffering por health due to being put on the work related prog and having benefits changed to ESA. She has this week received yet another brown envelope..she is only 22 and tells me she doesnt want to wake up in the morning ,,this a gal wed to a disabled guy two years yesterday ..its so so wrong and so sad! I WANT TO MEET CAMERON..may arramge something local ..the twi faced millionaire!
Phil Wilshaw
Annie Bishop I have MS with DLA indefinite award, I won’t be able to afford to work if I lose DLA under New regime of PIP. If I lose my car there is no accessible regular public transport for GP hospital etc
Zoe Crocker
thanks
Linda Ashford
John Radoux
R Cheetham
graham flinn
thanks
janice bainbridge
I totally agree .. at present i am awaiting my decission after having my 3rd medical in last 2 years after winning my appeal then 3-4 months later being sent for another medical. I would love to swap bodies with whom ever is making these decissions and see how well they cope with the severe pain i am in ..Lisa Gibbs.
Rob Anderson
David Kettley
Lucinda Morris.
David Kettley – Postcode
Catherine Byrne
Lost my appeal,taking it to the tribunal,my own GP say’s i’m unfit for work,buy acording to ATOS i’m fit for work,reason my GP has put on all my medical certificates i have to hand into the DWP is “CHRONIC PAIN,CHRONIC DEPRESSION.
Nigel Beckles
postcode
Labour need to detoxify from anything new labour and start DEFENDING people from rampant commercialism, end the WCA and remove Atos, strike off any medical Dr whom has broken the hypocratic oath working with the WCA and remove and ban permanently all foreign Drs involved in this damaging time in history
Jan McGuigan
Change is far overdue. Do what’s right Mr Miliband.
My full support goes to you Sonia.
Sharon Morgan
As has been made clear already by so many of the other people who have already put their names to this document., far too many of the chronic health issues that prevent people from working are IMPOSSIBLE to measure. How can one test for exhaustion, or depression, or anxiety? How can any test allow for the fact that one day you feel almost human, and the next you cannot function? You may even be genuinely ‘fit to work’ by their questionable standards today, but if tomorrow you cannot get out of bed, there’s no way you would ever be able to hold a job down. The tests are both unrealistic and inhumane, and these problems need to be addressed.
Clare Long
Pete Lub
it is all despicable
This is a blatant attack on people who cannot defend themselves and the Labour Party should stand up and declare their support to tjis group of people
I support anything that attacks or removes Cameron and his cronies from office and believe that the damage and lies he is spewing should stop. I also he should be held accountable as should Chris Grayling and Maria Millar et al (including AToS, the Doctors, Physiotherapists & Nurses they employ for failing their most basic requirement to fulfill their sworn oaths to “Do no harm”) involved in the debacle of a welfare reform, held accountable and charged with manslaughter and compensation paid to all families who have lost someone from being humiliated and subjected to the AToS farcical medical assessment.
Mark Giblin
Karen Lennon
I support this letter- .. If the whole from welfare to workfare system is so fantastic why are our government resorting to demonising the sick? disabled?out of work? We are organic and sometimes our bodies/minds do fail us THAT IS THE REALITY, not some biased software designed to score the dying as fit for work! The current WCA system is harmful, the government is hurting its citizens. the gap between rich and poor growing fastest in Britain according to telegraph..cummon mr milliband do some maths and come up with something that supports the masses instead of exploiting it, thats the job of private sector after all.. otherwise what is the point of government?
Stop the persecution of the disabled – one suicide is one suicide too many
Katy Leat
thanks
Kirsty Farnfield
Kathy Baguley Disabled and Labour party member
Martin Baguley Carer for my wife,
anne exton
thanks
Russell williams
thanks
J. Alder
I totally support this letter
Post code
Debby Deavescarer for my disabled child
Rick Burgess (I met you Mr Miliband in at the Ucheldre in Holyhead as you ran for leader, I recently won an ESA tribunal that almost killed me)
Steve Howe
A government which deliberately attacks those in society who are least able to stand up for themselves is despicable. Please do the right thing: stand up for those that need it, and expose the government for what they are.
So true…they prey on the weak & the vunverable. Who are unable to stand up for themselves! This I totally agree with…
Sian Battison
I’ve had ME for twenty plus years and Fibromyalgia for seven years plus a whole host of other illnesses including spinal/disc problems. I am disabled. I am not, however, a second class citizen and do not deserve to be treated as such. We need support not punishment. Being this ill and disabled because of it is punishment enough!
Please make them stop!!!
Peter Nicholls
Carole Millar
Dear Mr Milliband
I first had severe symptoms age 19 and worked (and hard) until I was 35, first as a teacher and then as a manager in your Sure Start Programme.
I have recently been placed in the work related group without a medical. My memory and speach is now so bad i cannot navigate the securty questions to get an apeal started without visiting the job centre. When the job centre called me in we phoned to request funding for the additional care i would need to get me ready, there and support my care needs whilst at the interview (every minute of my 32 hours care per week is already needed for my day to day needs) but i need a carer with me when not in bed, the job centre had on record that 4 years ago they felt I was too ill to be seen, they could not fund care but talked to me on the phone, not about work but about the apeals process. I remember the interview 4 years ago, it was in a cuboard as it was the only accessible space in the rural job centre.
So here I am, in rural Cumbria, the strains of my degeneration and care needs having ended my marriage long since but at least we have the idilic environment for the kids to grow up right? Well it’s not quite so idilic when you have to get up in the night to take your mum to the loo, are often too tired to do liesure things with your friends, and for my daughter, scared to walk through the village due to the physical ans psychological bullying by an older boy who sees it as acceptable to pass judgement on this family of scroungers. Yet my kids both want to work in caring roles and looking for voluntary work to support thier uni applications in a few years.
I have degenerative discs (8 severe), spinal chord damage, ME and MS I cannot feed myself with a knife and fork, walk, sit for more than a few minutes nor talk clearly and spend a considerable amount of time with my brain unable to understand simple thigs.
I feel totally abandond by the system and would have saved society the cost of my support long since if I had not had dependant children. Please stand up for those of us too ill or weak to do it for ourselves.
Carol Hallsorry the rest is too identifying)
thanks
Ciara Doyle
I support Sonia Poulton letter to Ed Milliband from Zoe Atkinson
I totally agree also…I suffer with depression/fibromalygia/aurthiritus/I.B.S, etc,etc,etc…my lists goes on. Which has been ongoing for many years now! Iam a single parent of 3 teenagers also and find it very hard to juggle & struggle…financially, emotionally, physically. It annoys me at the fact that we get accused of being lazy & scroungers! Well let me tell you something…Being a single parent who has Not only been Abused, been in a Domestic Violence Relationship…where I was nearly killed on a few occasions! Has issues, as well as the knock on effect which its had on my children also. Where ive had to deal with there issues, on top of mine! Having to live with these illness and be a single parent at the same time…Is A Full Time Job! And I struggle to do everything myself…I SACRIFICE MYSELF! In doing so! I Break My f…ing back when carrying shopping and doing chores… Everything is an effect…And at the end of the day…Im left totally Exhausted! For the last couple of week’s now…I have Not stopped crying, cause of the pain im in which has been horrendous! My tablets…painkillers Ain’t doing nothing! But killying me slowly…I have cysts on my liver and kidneys. Most probably due to the amount of pain killers I have had over the years! I now feel amune to them…they dont take the pain away! I deeply empathize for those who ‘SUFFER IN SILENCE, LIKE MYSELF!’ ATLOS/DWP can’t SEE our illness/dissability because it’s INVISIBLE!
Maybe if they could FEEL our pain…they would have more compassion/understanding and empathy for us! But to FEEL our pain…is too EMPATHIZE! And the DWP/ATOS/GOVERNMENT/SYSTEM…Don’t have this empathy that we carry! Only Sensitive people like US…carry empathy! So that’s why they DON’T understand at all! They are nothing but ignorant, inconsiderate lizard’s…In my eye’s! They prey on the weak & the vunerable! They test us…to see how far they can throw us. Meaning over the edge…I know of a few people now, that have killed themselfs. Took there own lifes…because of there circumstances, due to the pressure we are under by the system/government! Even I had felt so low…that I have felt like taking my own life too! But the reason iam still hanging on…is for my childrens sake. No-one else’s! I’ve been through hell & back, believe you me. Where Ive been victimized, harrassed, etc, etc.. I’ve been there, seen it, done it. But I ain’t wrote the book yet! And when I do…I will sure include, the system, the government, etc, etc, etc. “Just because I look strong…does’nt mean to say there’s Nothing wrong!” This goe’s out to everyone, who is also suffering in silence too! Don’t be afraid…to voice your opinion…let it out!!!
thanks
Charley Hasted,
I agree that disabled people are being demonised and abused by these so called ‘Tests’……we are a vunerable group and expect a democratic goverment to protect us and help us be a part of the community…by creating level playing fields…access for all! You are expecting private businesses to provide access , yet you are hypocrites and are denying us equality…..further more you are deliberatley targeting this vunerable group to save money…that you have squandered and wasted….eg poor regulations of banking proccedures….time for you to look hard and set your minds back on the track of real scroungers..bankers and big bussiness’ who are always being given soft options..eg tax breaks and subsidies for varying and endless reasons……..Britian once set great values for humanity….I AM ASHAMED OF YOU ALL IN GOVERMENT!
Sonia – Thank you for caring enough to action this petition to Ed Milliband. The manner in which our sick and disabled are being treated by this government beggars belief. Postcode
Melvyn Davis
Anzir Boodoo
Suffering from ME/CFS and (slowly) doing a PhD… WCA in a week’s time…
Well done you that cant be easy… Dxxx
C Austen,
Sarah Bakr
Kevin Donnellon
I have been through these assessments twice and dread the next one, Despite being declared unfit for work both times, and despite my previously excellent work record, the assumption was that I was lying and the goal was to catch me out. There is a need to remove a small number of benefits cheats but, with proper research into their medical care, this can be done without humiliating innocent sick people. Mr Milliband, you are a good man. Please make this your legacy – fixing a broken & evil system.
Totally agree with letter – I am sick and have no current hope of being able to work even part-time but have been placed in the work related activity group.
I am absolutely terrified that they will make me do things that I cannot manage and will make my illness worse.
I can’t manage to work so this would not make me part of society or make me feel better, it would more likely kill me. I am barely coping at present and if I get worse I will be at a point of needing carers etc.
Please just leave me alone and let me get on with trying to find something/anything that will make my life worth living …
May McGrath, Nottingham UK
Noleen Richards
Sheila Lewis
Sam Flowers
my postcode is
Phil Lockwood
Sept 4th will be an interesting day for the disabled community to view the Labour party performance and response in the House.
I fully agree with and endorse this letter and here’s why:
Under the new regulations it is very likely that my late husband would have been refused any financial support during his terminal cancer. A family friend in her 40s who has held down a job despite terminal cystic fibrosis finally had to give up work at the insistance of her consultant last year given her worsening condition and her requirement to self administer intravenous antibiotics every 3 hours – her benefits have been suspended and she has been required to attend the job centre to “help her get back to work”. She has appealed the ruling – lets hope she’s still with us to attend the hearing which is likely to be many months away. A dear friend who has lived with the devastating effects of chronic illness for the past 16 years now also lives in a state if fear, anxiety and despair about what the future holds and is made to feel like an untrustworthy fraud. There is lots to be proud about in Britain but this all makes me feel ashamed to be British. Remember this could happen to any of us. It’s time to take a stand.
Katherine Lewis
Ricky Ford,
thanks
Sean Goldthorpe,
Amanda Godber
Mike Wilson
Thank you for being so brave on our behalf Sonia.
thanks
John Stevens
thanks
My postcode is
Bill Scott
I fully endorse and support Sonia’s letter and here’s why:
I am fortunate enough to be fit and healthy. But for friends and family not so fortunate I am dismayed at the steady dismantling of the welfare system and it’s role in supporting the most vulnerable in society.
Under the new schemes and regulations it is very likely that my late husband would have been refused support and required to justify his inability to work during his terminal cancer.
A family friend in her 40s with terminal cystic fibrosis managed to hold down a job until last year when her consultant finally insisted she stop given her worsening health and requirement to self-administer intravenous antibiotics every 3 hours. Her benefits have been stopped and she has been required to attend the job centre to “help get her back to work”. We can only hope she’ll live long enough to attend her appeal hearing.
A dear friend who has lived with the devastating effects of chronic illness for the past 16 years now lives in a permanent state of anxiety and despair about what the future has in store if she fails to “pass” the fitness to work tests I.e. fail to convince the powers that be that she is unfit for work. She is made to feel like an untrustworthy fraud. She is neither of these things.
Remember it could happen to anyone. It’s time to take a stand and raise awareness of what is happening to our welfare system.
I back this campaign 100%. Well done Sonia Poulton paul w.
Thank you, Sonia.
Dear Mr.Miliband,
You must help us – you have your position partly because you were supported by unions.
We are a union, united in fear and anger at what is being done to us.
We are not afraid of proper assessment – we have it all the time from our own doctors (those of us whose services have not been cut to the bone).
We are not against reform – read “Responsible Reform” a.k.a. the Spartacus Report.
We are asking for fair and compassionate treatment at the hands of a system we rely on and which many of us have paid for throughout our working lives.
I do not expect Purnell and Cooper to apologise for Atos and the WCA, although they should.
I do not expect politicians to reject the overtures of big business, although they should.
I do not expect Labour to make amends for its’ mistakes, although it should.
I have learned not to expect anything from the political class.
Surprise me.
Make my day.
Have some integrity, Mr.Miliband. Ask yourself what your father would do.
Ask yourself why people like me are fighting for justice.
Ask yourself why Unite is providing union membership for people like me.
If you truly hold Labour values, old Labour values, remember what they mean.
From each according to his means, to each according to his NEED.
We are offering you an opportunity to prove that a politician can be moral – take it.
Andrea Wilson
I had my medical on the 2nd of july,got my letter back on saturday the 27/7/12 and then on the sunday 28/7/12 had a mini stroke. And by the way Im fit for work
Ian fell
Andrew Carling
My wife, who has multiple mental and physical health difficulties (which are assessed seperately although they are interrelated) was driven to the brink of suicide by this utterly barbaric, totally uncaring system.
Tonyjustice51@yahoo.co.uk
Please note, people, that you may add your Postcode to the form. I, for one, do not want my Postcode on public display. Therefore I will not add it to an open message. If that’s a problem, Sonia, then I have to say I do not trust your motives.
I absolutely support Sonia Poulton’s letter to Ed Milliband from Carole Ashcroft
Natalie Reeves
John Mason
I support the Sonia Poulton letter to Ed Milliband. For whatever it may achieve with another politician most likely compromised by the City of London Corporatocracy.
Obedencio, Raymundo. Occupy
B Bates
Tracey Clark
having been told ten yrs ago never to try to work and being upset by that my husband who has been on 4hrly doses of morphine for 12yrs is now ….fit to work…..he spends most of every day in bed but hey thats ok! please add my name to this.
thanks
. It’s totally disgraceful!
I agree.
Jacqueline Farrow
Nev Hardwick,
Good luck!
I support the Sonia Poulton letter to Ed Milliband from Paris
Heather McIntosh
I support this letter
Stephen J Ryan
Postcode is
Michael Doherty.
I support this move. It is time that Labour stood up and said sorry for introducing the benefit. But have no doubt that if the libdems had made their bed with Labour, we would be lobbying Cameron! James Clifford
Nancy Oliver,
Julia Tyrrell
Mr Milliband – please please read this and take on board how unfair and terrifying this situation is to so many people who are ill through no fault of thier own. I personally have to go through yet another assessment soon (total dread and stress which doesnt help) and have been told to claim DLA by the jobcentre staff (not holding my breath on that one). Of course checks have to be made to make sure the right people are receiving the right money , but this totally inhuman system is not what any one should have to accept.
Stephen Moyes
I wholeheartedly support Sonia Poulton.
John Hargrave
Margaret Kent
thanks
Lucy Furlong
please add my name to sonias letter to mr milliband.
Reblogged this on LucyFurLeaps.
Sam Sharman-Dunn
My postcode is
Sue Francis
Katie Ash
Angela Drane
I wholeheartedly agree with Sonia.
John Hargrave
Tania Bartlett
Hazel Borland
Well done I agree & support this letter whole heartedly 23 years ME, Fibromyalgia & getting worse, Diabtes, Asthma, & a few other problems
Jenny Martin
Susan Campen CM7 %st
Disabled, depressed, scared and suicidal after my 4th WCA for a degenerative disease, it will not improve.
Only found this site last night,struggling to cope myself.
Dagmar Marlow
Vince Marlow
Angela Jupp
The ATOS questions are a cynical tick box exercise, and are desiened to avoid the pertinent issues associated with both physical and mental health. It is well time we started fighting back and changing the whole mind set that pretends that this process is acceptable.
my post code is:
Luke Murray
marilyn ryan
Alexandra Hall
Disagraceful situation.
You have my support
paul barnard
arh-em supports Sonia Poulton’s letter to Ed Milliband
Sarah Turner my friend asked me to add this for her)
also my parents want their names added
Mr A Martin
Mrs MB Martin
THANK YOU
I fully support the contents of this letter regarding the disgraceful discrimination of people with disabilities and health problems. Shaun Carter,
Dave Pelbrough
Pembe Mustafa
Susan Smith . ATOS VICTIM.
Gail Robinson
Sue Burgess
I completely support this letter. Please help to stop the mistreatment and hatred being directed at the seriously ill and disabled.
The current assessment process is so wrong in so many ways. As the leader of the Party supposedly of the ordinary people I urge you to oppose this process and protect the most vulnerable within our community
cheryl hunter
cheryl hunter
Victoria Harris
Paul Bell
The constant retesting of some people is shocking, and amounts to harassment, how can that ever be right?
If the government are so badly in need of money, perhaps they should take a look at the bankers and other rich people in society. How about M.P.’s pay and expenses? But wherever they look for money, they should stop harassing the sick and disabled.
thanks
Helen Monroe
Postcode:
Gwyneth Price
Peter Thwaites
dean Stockton
The constant retesting of some claimants amounts to harassment.
If the government are desperate for money, perhaps they could look at some of the rich people in our society, such as the bankers. Maybe they could even look at themselves, their huge salaries, and expenses. Most people in our society do not have such privilege, perhaps the question of why they do should be asked?
The process is disgraceful as are the attempts to justify it.
couldnt leave comment on FB ? WHY
Susan w Mount
hAVING 2 ISSUES RE ATOS DLA/ESA- letter to say fir foir work while in hospital having major surgery on left ankle.
I dont know Susan, but its been added from here… Dxxx
David Woodcock
Anne Woodcock
Adrian Wilks
I totally support the contents of this letter.
thanks
Agree totally, had my atos medical in April still awaiting my result. Last medical I had on incapacity said I wouldnt need anymore as unfit, so do not understand why they need to change things and waste money. If I could work I would be doing so.
Mikaela Male
Karen Skinner
Julie Ann Pickles
E Ross
I have recently managed to get my local MP’s interest in this too. I suffer from Mental Health problems and Fibromyalgia, and despite being found unfit to work, I am no longer entitled to any , yes any, benefits – how cruel is that when i am mostly housebound! I am meant to sponge of my hard working partner.
My son suffers from schizophrenia,I am terrified about what will happen to him when my husband and I die.My husband is also disabled and my health has broken down over the years of caring for everyone.I have other children and grandchildren and also a great-grandson who was born with a disability this year.My son has been through hell and at the moment is on an even keel because we are there for him 24/7.I managed to get him a flat near us with the help of our local council.My son spent ten years in hospital with the odd couple of months out in the community (he would come out of hospital then end up back in on another section )His doctor said he would always have schizophrenia and he needed as little stress as possible .How could I leave my son behind when I die, what will the future be in this England when people are described as “stock” by the DWP, when people are described as “benefit units”by DWP documents.when your very existence offends people who think you are a useless eater.What kind of life is it when the clatter of the letter box induces fear that the brown envelope has finally arrived and your life is about to get so much worse?When you know that you will never be able to work and there are no jobs for your able bodied relatives? It is bad for the disabled now, should my lovely little great-grandson have died at birth to save the cost of any future care, are we all just units of production and no longer human being? ED MILLIBAND I am asking you to be true to the roots of the Labour Party and stand up for all the frightened vulnerable people who,s lives are being made a living hell.
thanks
MR MILLIBAND WE ARE BEGGING FOR YOUR HELP WHERE ARE YOU HELP HELP HELP HELP
I support Sonia Poulton letter to Ed Milliband from Kirsty Whatmore
Karen Anderson
Please add me.
Signing for MY mum S P Davis
link to my Blog called “LIFE”
http://eomunda.wordpress.com/
Jo Watkins
Carl Chapman
J Farmer
Debs Brookes
Philip barrett
&
Janet barrett
I’m 55yrs old,have worked continuously since the age of 15 and for many of those yrs with Epilepsy and Severe Arthritis. I continued to work until April 2011 when I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy..both my feet and lower legs have nerve damage resulting in numbness causing frequebt falls. This is not a curable disease and is progressive. I am currently awaiting an appeal tribunal as I’m am deemed FIT FOR WORK !! Who is going to employ sick and disabled people when there are not enough jobs for the able bodied. I now have to take anti-depressants to cope with all this stress. To me it seems we are all on the scrap heap with a life sentence !! Mr Milliband, please hear our cry before we die !!
P.S Forgot to add postcode…
Mo McRae
Clare hANNABY,