There's a blog post being circulated which I'm happy to pass on. You can read it all here, under the heading, "Just when you thought Iain Duncan Smith could not stoop any lower ...." There are a number of issues which arise from it. The most obvious is the tone of IDS's letter. Remember that he's writing to a constituent. But I'm also struck by the fact that this poor woman had to go to court to get what she was entitled to and, although she won her case, it wasn't enough. IDS or his department appealed against the decision twice, and are now appealing to get her sent out of the country. It's hard to know whether, or to what extent, Duncan Smith has any personal involvement in these decisions. But it suggests, once again, a culture of never taking no for an answer. If you don't like a ruling that says you're wrong, keep on appealing it; it's not your money you're spending, after all. And the rights and plight of the individual concerned are irrelevant.
You might also notice that IDS refers to the lady as a "customer" of his department. This is a very strange and inappropriate usage, but is perhaps indicative of his ability to put all transactions in commercial terms. If we really were "customers" we could demand a much better service or take our custom elsewhere.
I'm posting this because of another case of unforgivable delays which was highlighted on the Today programme (BBC Radio 4) this morning. A man who has terminal cancer has been left without his benefits for many months because of delays, untruths and sheer incompetence. Macmillan Cancer Support, the organisation which brought this case to light, says that many people are in this position. We were reminded that the average delay is about 9 weeks. Does that account for much of the growth in food bank usage? But the response from the DWP is as dismissive and arrogant as always, criticising Macmillan for exaggerating.
What possible excuse can there be for routinely leaving people destitute for months? Is it a deliberate ploy to deter people from claiming at all? Or is the intention to boost the profits of the pay-day lenders? Maybe it's part of the running-down of the department so that its functions can be outsourced.
I was recently at the JSP and a doubt was raised,I questioned what doubt,it was regarding my JS,I asked what was in doubt? We(?) are not sure if this record is true,you could of filled it out while waiting,well call the buggers it is UJM and here is a record of my activities.... Sanctioned and awaiting the outcome,total bullshit,but take the advise write down everything and keep a log,because they will lie,even if caught there is no repercussion!
ReplyDeleteI made a claim for JSA the day before my birthday [24th August]. I telephoned the usual claim number and was advised that all claims now need to be made online. I went to the website, which promptly returned an error message. Again and again. And again. So I telephoned the number again and was advised that I needed to keep trying. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteSo I did, again and again and again. Eventually [on 2nd September] the claim was accepted and I was invited to an interview at JobCentre Plus the following week. Apparently that problem was that my 'government gateway id had not been synced.' I attended my appointment on time- a few minutes early actually- only to be informed that they had no record of my appointment or indeed, my claim.
The G4S guard, who has no training in benefits whatsoever, advised that I needed to go and 'use the phones' to make a new claim. I complained, very politely and quietly, only for him to square up to me and tell me that if I continued 'getting in his face' I would be barred from the JobCentre. So I sucked it up and went to the phones. Half an hour on hold later and, you guessed it, I need to go online to make a claim.
I went home and made a new claim. I have another appointment on Monday- apparently- so we will see what happens. I'm not holding out much hope.
On the plus side, I have lost about a stone and a half since losing my job in August and have since taken to shoplifting sandwiches from Marks and Spencers just to get through the day. I am not proud of this, quite the opposite in fact but hunger is a great motivator.
I'm just so sad and heartbroken at the moment. Apart from the obvious, one of the worst things about financial destitution is that it completely isolates you from your friends and family. I can't travel to see anyone, attend interviews, and forget about going out for a pint once a week.
Sorry for the rant, I really just needed to get that out there.
There are lots of us on here who know exactly how you feel (though I can't endorse the shoplifting).
ReplyDeleteCall me Crazy,on the JCP wall "If you need to change your appointment call 0845 XXX XXX" except you are not allowed to change your appointment and at my JCP you must call 0845 to book a phone to call 0845...Monty Python are you in charge?
ReplyDeleteYou are allowed to change your appointment provided you have a good reason - funeral, illness, temp work. And they will reschedule asap. This is what they do for me and my p/t work, which I try to avoid clashing with my signing time, but sometimes it's not possible.
DeleteI have tried,apparently having an interview(which was mandatory) is not a valid reason.
DeleteIDS gets a well deserved (verbal) kicking
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/02/iain-duncan-smith-tories-useful-idiot
"What possible excuse can there be for routinely leaving people destitute for months? Is it a deliberate ploy to deter people from claiming at all? Or is the intention to boost the profits of the pay-day lenders?"
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt, a resounding YES in both cases - aren't Wonga major Tory party "donors"? (I know at least one loan co is, but can't recall which.)
Clearly there is a problem at the DWP, this is evident by the [culture of] strikes that have been going on for the last couple of years. Teachers, the Fire Brigade and the constant possibility of JCP+ staff going on strike, all because of pay, pensions and working conditions. If that's not evidence enough, then I don't know what is. I thought the idea of the government, was to listen to the people they are working for. I mean, why do people keep voting for these people? It's plainly obvious that the government doesn't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteNot a massive listener to BBC Radio 4, but do tune in semi-regularly. Just finished listening to File on 4. They will be looking at the Work Program from next week. From 17.00 onwards. I certainly will be listening!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in listening to that programme. Do you know on which day it will be broadcast?
DeleteTuesday at 8.00 pm. There's also a Public Accounts Committee meeting on Universal Credit this week.
DeleteKeep 'em waiting, hope they'll abandon their claim...simples.
ReplyDeleteWhat I woudl liek to say about IDS won't get printed.
Interesting DWP release,the 18 main WP Providers will be the only ones allowed to bid on a contract to deliver post WP "Work for your Benefit" scheme,unlike the WP pay by results 70% will be for supervising the unemployed doing community related services,which can include actually working for the Providers helping the unemployed find work,the contract value is around £270 million,which is very close to the under spend due to the lack of success the WP has had so far. I personally feel that regardless of performance the WP would get their hands on this cash and it proves that the WP/DWP really do not care about unemployment,just ensuring that they can pilfer as much as possible and blame the unemployed.
ReplyDeleteRemember, remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot....
ReplyDelete