The difference between voluntary work and a favour

Hi Linsky, if common sense prevailed the Government could cut the deficit by sacking ATOS and listening to the medical experts e.g. the claimants GP's, Consultants etc. Reducing the fear would also reduce the cost of the ill and disabled having to attend the surgery more often on account of this added or increase in stress.

With regards to your very good example i.e. if a person was asked could they walk 50m 100m 200m etc, etc. An Adviser would not ask you a specific question like this. As they know that this would be inviting the answer you gave. Lets just say, you said this at an interview with an Advisor, they would say, OK Linsky so you might not be able to walk 50m, 100m etc. What is it then that you can do? Tell me about yourself? Then this would lead to what do you do with your time? What do you do during the week? What do you do when you are out or at home etc? Anything you say e.g. I read, will be taken into consideration that you are able to do some type of job.

What can we do about it? The way I see it is we continue with this waiting game, hoping that others will influence a change for the better or we pull together and act now! The Government have got the most vulnerable members of society right where they want them i.e. living in despair and fear, each individual hoping that the other will make the move. Sadly, if people like our members don't make an impact soon, then as we have seen, more members will find their fears a reality. United we stand, divided we fall.

No disrespect to those of our members who have made an effort to sign petitions, write to their MP's etc (me being one of them) but where has it got us?

Dragon wrote:

No disrespect to those of our members who have made an effort to sign petitions, write to their MP's etc (me being one of them) but where has it got us?

I have a suspicion the 700000 Incapacity Claimants who are now exempted from being migrated to ESA and being tested by ATOS woud not have happened without people behind the scenes like me entering into a full and frank exchange with politicians.
You have to remember the current shower a trying to save money.
700000 medicals and probably 700000 appeals for people who will all have reached retirement age by October 2013 just was not cost effective.
The ConDem government have also called in all contractors costing more than £1million a year and told them to cut prices.

think your numbers wrong

Dave wrote:

think your numbers wrong

The 700000 is a direct quote from Chris Grayling when being interviewed live on TV a few days ago.
It is also part of tbe plan of the outgoing NewLabour goverment and is also detailed in the news section of this forum.

I am right in specifically recalling Nick Clegg saying that he wanted the public to say what 'stupid and unfair rules, laws, etc' (or words to that effect) should be abolished?

Is this the type of rule he was talking about?

Hi Jeff, I was claiming ESA - I am awaiting back surgery and have r.a. and osteo a as well. I was advised not to do any am dram or have anything to do with costumes as one more phone call and I would be seeing the fraud officers! I asked what I was supposed to do all day - read books and watch television? - and she said yes!! lainie