Dear Iain (& Chums...)

Dear Iain& chums,

We read today that you are pressing on with you disastrous reforms. That you don't believe people are suffering as a result of the Welfare Reform Bill.

You say this despite the wealth of concerns of disabled and seriously ill people, their carers and supporters. Despite the fact you've been defeated in the Lords 4 times over ESA and housing benefit, only narrowly avoiding a 5th because of Lib Dems too cowardly to defy the whip over DLA. Despite the twitter storm caused by the Spartacus Report and the wealth of stories of hardship and hurt that have appeared in newspapers of all political persuasions in the past fortnight.

How can you believe that no-one is suffering when the message boards of disability and carer groups are full of stories of distress and fear of the DWP and Atos assessments?

How can you believe that no-one is suffering  when 40% of ESA claimants (those that have the energy and support to do so) appeal their status of "fit for work"?

How can you believe that no-one is suffering when terminally ill people receive letters from the DWP stating they are fit for work?

How can you believe that no-one is suffering when 4 of the authors of the Spartacus Report have been in ill-health due to the stress of campaigning? And when Sue Marsh has ended up in a hospital bed?

How can you believe that no-one is suffering when Sue is turned down for DLA, when Kaliya Franklin (@BendyGirl) and 500,000 others like her won't qualify for PIP, despite being too sick to get out of the house most days?

How can you believe that no-one is suffering when your housing benefit caps stop families with disabled members being able to move to a house big enough for their needs?


You say you want fairness, to create less dependency, to help the most vulnerable. But you seem oblivious to the fact that  your policies do the opposite.

Everywhere we look people are suffering. It's time you opened your eyes and saw it too.