Health charities and unions lead strong criticism of Sunak’s welfare reforms
Leading mental health and poverty charities and unions have strongly criticised Rishi Sunak’s planned welfare reforms as “deeply damaging” and an “irresponsible war of words”.
The Prime Minister announced a series of major changes to the system on Friday and warned against “over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life”.
Among the proposed changes was a consultation on a “more objective and rigorous approach” in the benefits system, and having so-called specialist work and health professionals charged with responsibility for issuing fit notes instead of GPs in a bid to end the “sick note culture”.
This is an irresponsible war of words on people who already aren’t getting enough support, which the Government would rather not talk about.
It is worth adding the well understood caveat that government isn't usually guided by a “more objective and rigorous approach” to any of its favoured policies.
7 comments:
I like the American expression "Good enough for government work".
This plan is a politician's dream. Not only would de-medicalising a range of conditions cut the benefits bill, it would mean that the NHS would meet more targets at a stroke, as fewer people would be ill. And the cost is negligible, as nothing actually changes.
They've done the same with crime for years.
They're working on a plan to tell people that potholes and illiteracy are actually normal.
With Sam here.
When they take the onerous sicknote workload away from GPs can we presume that they'll reduce their salaries pro rata? (fails to hold breath . . .)
dearieme - yes it's worth making a note of that one. My father once described a new chap at work as "a local government type" - it was my uncle.
Sam and James - potholes are a safety feature, cheaper than the 20mph speed limit in Wales as it requires no policing. Literacy is probably elitist by now.
Jannie - I was in our GP waiting room today and according to an information board they all seem to work part time.
Nobody gives a toss what Sunak says or pretends he's going to do - he'll be gone in six months anyway, off to some billionaire job in the US, no doubt.
But it is worth asking, if umpty-squillion people are choosing to live on benefits instead of working for a living, maybe - just maybe - those benefits are teensy-weensy bit too generous?
Peter - I don't envy a benefits life, but it certainly does seem a teensy-weensy bit too generous.
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