Report finds Government is consistently misrepresenting facts around disability benefits

This report, written by disabled people themselves, and based on an analysis of some 500 responses to the UK government’s consultation on its planned Disability Living Allowance (DLA) changes and cuts, illustrates that the coalition’s proposed ‘reforms’ lack both support and credibility. ‘Responsible Reform’ shows that the government’s DLA consultation breached the government’s own code of practice and was “highly misleading”. The material used here has been made public only as a result of disabled people requesting to see it under the Freedom of Information Act. Key findings include:
* 98 per cent of respondents object to the qualifying period for benefits being raised from three months to six months
* 99 per cent of respondents object to Disability Living Allowance no longer being used as a qualification for other benefits
* 92 per cent oppose removing the lowest rate of support for disabled people.
In all three cases, as well as many others, London’s Conservative Mayor, Boris Johnson, has also objected to the proposed changes. The Welfare Reform Bill will be disastrous for sick and disabled people, says joint author Sue Marsh. It is not too late for a government rethink. Members of the House of Lords are being urged to back an adjournment debate calling for a pause of at least six months.

Only seven per cent of organisations which took part in the consultation were fully in support of plans to replace DLA with PIP
* There was overwhelming opposition in the consultation responses to nearly all of the government’s proposals for DLA reform
* The government has consistently used inaccurate figures to exaggerate the rise in DLA claimants
* The report shows that nearly all of the recent increase in working-age claimants of DLA has been associated with mental health conditions and learning difficulties. Between 2002 and 2010, the number of working-age DLA claimants – excluding those with mental health conditions and learning difficulties remained remarkably stable
* 98 per cent of those who responded opposed plans to change the qualifying period for PIP from three months (as it is with DLA) to six months
* 90 per cent opposed plans for a new assessment, which disabled people fear will be far too similar to the much-criticised work capability assessment used to test eligibility for employment and support allowance (ESA)
* Respondents to the consultation repeatedly warned that the government’s plans could breach the Equality Act, the Human Rights Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Read the full report here  or the Easy Read Version here 

(Huge thanks to United Response for producing this easy read version for those with learning difficulties, literacy or visual challenges – follow the link to find out more about them and why they produced it)

Guardian reports the problems with Work Capability Assessments  here and Huff Post illuminates further here 

If its of interest all the data on numbers of DLA Claimants by condition can be found here

A disabled campaigner reports her views on this whole process here

People tell their stories andwhy the Spartacus report matters so much here

Authors of the Spartacus,  Kaliya and Sue, report suffer exhaustion and hospitalisation after the tremendous effort of producing this amazing  report  here for more information  and a message from them asking you to do your bit now.

Visit this website here  to see how you can lobby Government to stop the proposed changes going through. 

• Use the words on the website to lobby your MP,
• make your voice heard, add it to your Facebook page, Tweet if you use Twitter. 
•  There was never a better time to stand up and say what you think about the effect that these DLA reforms are having on you and your family and friends.