Disability not Inability: Cuts won’t help people into work

This article has taken me a while to write as I haven’t felt such an emotional reaction to disability issues since the DNR (do not resuscitate) of disabled people through the pandemic.

I have also never, in my whole disabled existence, felt that my children or I are a minority and looked down upon for simply existing. I recognise the privilege that last statement screams, but as someone who has driven awareness and had a positive outlook it maybe that I have chosen to ignore the reality and the news our government want to change PIP has brought me crashing down.

The language purposefully used to rile up taxpayers by making it sound like we are draining resources that they are paying for, and we are all sat at home not working through choice, is disappointing as a Labour voter who previously cheered at them criticising similar proposals from the Tory government.

I have experienced myself the social impact and rise in abuse of disabled people especially online after these proposals were put out there. Strangers have now decided that my R-word kids and my Spas*** self are spending tax money and should get a job all because his government told him that was so.

Ironically, I do work and have had my job for 10 years, but this is now not good enough for the online trolls no, because I should have a better job! This is much more than the questioning of my abilities previously experienced or wondering if I’m faking anything to full blown slurs. We are now judged by usefulness, with some saying out loud they wouldn’t care if we can’t eat or heat our houses, and it would be our own fault.

The presumption that all workplaces are suited for disabled people is simply not true and the lack of acknowledgement from our government on this subject is concerning. Yes, I do work and have maintained a job, however it is highly adapted. Some tasks have been removed from me as I struggle with them, I can fulfil my hours at any time over 7 days, I have a team of volunteers that help every day I am in and cover if I am unwell, if I am able, I can do work from home. I can move around, sit when I please, eat when I please, take small breaks.

This job is a unicorn. It is also wearing me out and I push myself further than doctors recommend, which is true of most disabled people and I doubt I will get to pension age. To work is my choice but not everyone else can manage and certainly wouldn’t even with my adaptations.

I am also reminded that my dear friend Janet passed away after she was removed from sickness benefits and told she must attend workshops and get a job two years before her pension was due. We found out she wasn’t eating properly (as she feared that the missing rent payment after her benefit switch would see her homeless, despite us informing her we wouldn’t allow that), which threw her diabetes out and she passed alone. Removing benefit’s does cause deaths.

I think what I am most angry with our government about is that PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is painted as free money. It is not means tested that is true, because it is for the cost of your disability. Mine pays for my mobility aids, prescriptions, therapies I can’t access on the NHS, the excessive heating bill as the cold affects me, appointment and travel costs to name a few.

Being able to maintain my own health means I can work and function. I can pay for things that may help me at work, home, being a better parent. My husband being my biggest support system and an unpaid carer.

You may read that and wonder why the bill should come from the taxpayers. I understand this point of view but I also know that PIP was created to give independence, not just to be able to do things on our own, but to manage our own health and be able to live in our own homes. To not have to access home helps through the council, to delay when we ask for Personal Assistants again paid for by councils. Mine and my child’s PIP means we don’t have to access these services right now. Some PIP awards means that a small amount of money, way below the living wage can be given to a relative or friend so they can provide care 35 hours per week again saving costs to councils.

Above all this the lack of promise to give real help to disabled people getting into work not just by supporting them, but supporting employers too, is a massive concern. There has been no solid plan or funding allocated to make this work. Not all buildings are disabled-friendly still, insurances may have to go up if there is additional risk.

We are still waiting for the impact assessment. Most of us would hope with a big move like this, the government would be proud to show the lack of impact … unless of course that isn’t the case.

As I see it many things contribute to disabled people not working. The NHS waiting times are extremely long meaning we are unable to address our health issues in a timely manner; the education system for SEND children is a mess, meaning poor education outcomes and lack of exam achievements; employment of disabled people needs improving and most employers cannot afford to pay for adaptations. These are all issues within the government’s control that are not being addressed fully and without that you will not get disabled people into steady work.

The ableism that exists also needs to be worked on and ideas that disabled people are less intelligent, or less productive must be challenged.

Lastly, we must make the PIP system not harder but fairer. I had a drop in award because my hair was clean when I attended my assessment. A system that presumes a disabled person should present as dishevelled is not one that is there to help. The cost of disability aids is astronomical and without PIP support I can’t afford them or other things that help me function, meaning I will likely and ironically have to quit my job.

This post was written by Christine Smart

Photo: Demonstrating against benefit cuts in 2013. Credit Alamy

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