SIR: Many of your readers are probably not aware that disabled people are already having their benefits cut. Government spokespersons persistently assure us that disability benefits are under review and that no decisions will be taken until the end of that process. This is only true in part, because running alongside the review, is the Benefits Integrity Programme, which is reviewing disabled people's rights to the higher and middle bands of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Disturbing figures from the DSS indicate that the by the end of November 1997 around 20% of disabled people reviewed thus far had had their benefits cut or stopped altogether. Are the rumours about the possible outcome of the benefits review a smokescreen to hide what is already happening? By the time any proposals are forthcoming, the real damage will already have been done.
I also believe that people are being misled by the suggestion that the Government is moving disabled people out of benefit and into work under the Welfare to Work programme. Those currently losing their DLA are not being offered jobs!
D. Andrew Coldwell
Supporter - ABCD Against Benefit Cuts for the Disabled
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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