You can see yours truly in his trade mark flat cap, psyching myself up for the event!
YeeHaw...we're off!
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Waiting for the Off in Northumberland Street
At around 11 am we were released from the union building in Northumberland Street, next to the Sherlock Holmes pub, and Alice, she with the megaphone, gave us some instructions for the march.
The Text of my Hyde Park Speech on Saturday 26 March 2011
“HELLO WEMBLEY!!!
WHOOPS – SORRY WRONG GIG!
Hello Comrades, I’m Seán McGovern a disabled trade union activist; and, I’m honoured to be here today part of this anti-cuts movement. Which is growing daily!
Comrades, disabled people are fighting for the most basic of human rights.
- The right to work;
- the right to a living income for those who can’t work;
- the right to sustenance;
- the right to decent care support;
- the right to live without hate crime; and
- the right to dignity!
May I congratulate some of our popular media? Well done the Daily Heil, the Sun and Express, you purveyors of disablist propaganda. Along with the rubbish-end of TV and attention seeking politicians you’ve managed to demonise disabled people.
In times of recession and economic downturn governments and their media hounds need a scapegoat; history has shown us this; today it’s the turn of disabled people – who’s next?
No wonder hate crime against disabled people is on the rise.
While the bankers caused this economic crisis disabled people’s support and benefits are being blamed.
So much so that we are feeling the brunt of the ConDem ideological cuts.
They say these cuts aren’t ideological – liars!
· Replacing Disability Living Allowance with a Personal Independence Payment, with predicted savings of 20% – naked ideology!
· Introducing a draconian set of Work Capability Assessments – viciously ideological!
· Migrating disabled people from Incapacity Benefit to poverty level JobSeekers Allowance – driven by ideology!
· Removing hundreds of items from Access to Work; a scheme that earns 20% for every pound spent! – stupid ideology!
· Supported employment schemes such as Remploy under threat; thus adding to an ever-increasing unemployment queue and benefits bill – misguided ideology!
Not content with attacking our jobs and benefits they’re bent on depriving us of life enhancing resources. And calling it the BIG SOCIETY!
Day centres are closing. Council care is being cut. Direct Payments bills slashed as eligibility criteria are squeezed to critical only.
Comrades, every day disabled people are dying due to ConDem ideologically driven policies. They must go!
Today the struggle shifts up a gear! From here we must return to our cities, towns and villages to organise everyone against this ConDem regime; these enemies of disabled people, these enemies of the people – our class!!”
http://vimeo.com/album/1562316/page:4
A Poor Night's Sleep: with a strange interruption
Woke up Saturday morning in quite a bit of pain and after an indifferent night’s sleep. The usual pain-halting sleep coupled with having to pee every hour or so isn’t exactly the remedy for a good night’s kip. However, another factor was added to my fractured sleep via a strange dream.
Dreams are dreams; some from which I wake up screaming, though not so often these days. Yet, this dream did kick me back into consciousness not in a nightmarish way; no, more in an uncomfortable, even slightly embarrassed way – though, I’m not sure why I should be embarrassed with my dreams
Briefly, in my dream I was on a stage in front of a massive crowd. In my hands I had some notes, from which I knew I was about to address the sea of humanity who were spread before me, almost to the horizon, waving arms, banners, flags and assorted wavy kinds of things.
Coming closer to the front of the stage, I noticed I was wearing a three-piece-suit with massive lapels and flared trousers. Getting to the mike I took a closer look at the audience which, on closer inspection, was made up with long-haired people dressed in 1970s clothing – I guessed the ones with the beards were the men, and the others women
As I reached for the mike the noise reached a crescendo that only abated as I began softly singing à la Harry Nilsson:
“No I cant forget this evening
Or your face as you were leaving
But I guess that’s just the way this story goes,
You always smile
But in your eyes your sorrow shows...”
At which point I woke up in a cold sweat scratching at a beard I didn’t have and wondering why the hell Harry Nilsson, a singer I had little time for when he was alive and at the height of career in the 70s, was invading my privacy nearly forty-years later.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Start of the Great March 26 March
Shan’t attempt to give a broad canvas of Saturday’s march, as the day didn’t pan out that way for me. No, the event was a veritable whirligig of wonderful snapshots; a kaleidoscope of different activities fused together to create one of the most successful labour movement demos ever!
After several incidents on the way to the event we were led out by the march stewards and invited to take up positions behind the lead banner – you know, the one held at about chest height. The TUC had allocated me a steward for the march, Karl a Unite organiser and good Comrade; and, Karl spotting the last remaining place along the banner’s length pushed me towards it.
There had been an agreement that, due to the disproportionate punishment we were receiving by these cuts, disabled people should visible at the front of the march.
So far so good; however, as I put my arm forward to hold the banner, as if from nowhere an elderly woman rushed past me and hopping over my legs and footplate gripped onto the remaining section of banner.
Not very comradely; and, of course now there was no visible representation of disabled people at the very front of the march; something we’d been promised. The banner snatcher being taller blocked me from view.
For the sake of solidarity, I won’t name the sprightly 76-year old Vice President, and London Region secretary, of the National Pensioners Convention; but may I ask next time, please pick on someone your own size!
Sean's March 26 Hyde Park Speech
The first link is to my speech to hundreds of thousands of people in Hyde Park at around 3:45 pm on Saturday 26th March, 2011; and, the second opens up the other speeches.
Seán
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Criticise the TUC WHEN they cock up!
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve heard rumour piled upon rumour, for the most part negative, about the TUC’s organisation of the 26th March event. The TUC has capitulated to the Met and consequently all coaches will be forced to terminate at Wembley; there will be no signers at the Hyde Park rally; no provision for disabled people who cannot march has been made.
The complaints I’m hearing are via the Internet. All the complainants know this is a TUC-run event; yet too many of them are simply refusing to refer to the TUC website, a resource which is updated on a daily basis; no, they appear more content in disseminating rumours which serve only to put other disabled people off attending.
Criticism is legitimate. As someone involved in the disability movement for the past 20-years I’ve become fairly adept in the art of criticism myself. Unfortunately, I’ve also been guilty of shooting the messenger before they’ve managed to deliver the message on more than one occasion.
On appraisal of such situations I realise my reactions make me look both petulant and unreasonable. Thus, I try to take a step back these days and at the very least give the other guy a hearing before I go in all guns blasting – alas all too often after listening to the other side I’m critical of what’s on offer; but, I’ve given the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Yes, the TUC is on a learning curve; you know what, anyone or any organisation that isn’t on a learning curve isn’t really doing too much of anything. The most important point is that the TUC is listening and consulting with disabled people for this event.
Again, if people have ideas or issues about the march can I suggest they contact the TUC at march26@tuc.org.uk by March 14th. For up-to-date information go to http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/2011/02/18/access-and-disability/
If countering rumours which are unconfirmed is patronising, then I’m guilty M’lud; and, I’d like 23,786 other cases to be taken into consideration.
Met Asking How Many Disabled Marchers on March 26th
I don’t really care if the police are enquiring as to how many disabled people are taking part in the march. What can they do if we refuse to give them the information? Will they have teams of ATOS assessors out on the day assessing who is and who isn’t disabled; for, if they do the figures will be skewed after the ATOS people assess 97% of marchers as not being disabled.
ATOS will then report that 970,000 people on the march were fit for work; the Met will claim that only 15,000 people took part; and, the BBC will run a story about a lost Chihuahua being reunited with its distraught 103-year-old owner.
Counter Rumours
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve heard rumour piled upon rumour, for the most part negative, about the TUC’s organisation of the 26th March event. The TUC has capitulated to the Met and consequently all coaches will be forced to terminate at Wembley; there will be no signers at the Hyde Park rally; no provision for disabled people who cannot march has been made.
The complaints I’m hearing are via the Internet. All the complainants know this is a TUC-run event; yet too many of them are simply refusing to refer to the TUC website, a resource which is updated on a daily basis; no, they appear more content in disseminating rumours which serve only to put other disabled people off attending.
Criticism is legitimate. As someone involved in the disability movement for the past 20-years I’ve become fairly adept in the art of criticism myself. Unfortunately, I’ve also been guilty of shooting the messenger before they’ve managed to deliver the message on more than one occasion.
On appraisal of such situations I realise my reactions make me look both petulant and unreasonable. Thus, I try to take a step back these days and at the very least give the other guy a hearing before I go in all guns blasting – alas all too often after listening to the other side I’m critical of what’s on offer; but, I’ve given the guy the benefit of the doubt.
Yes, the TUC is on a learning curve; you know what, anyone or any organisation that isn’t on a learning curve isn’t really doing too much of anything. The most important point is that the TUC is listening and consulting with disabled people for this event.
Again, if people have ideas or issues about the march can I suggest they contact the TUC at march26@tuc.org.uk by March 14th. For up-to-date information go to
http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/2011/02/18/access-and-disability/
If countering unconfirmed rumours is patronising, then I’m guilty M’lud; and, I’d like 23,786 other cases to be taken into consideration.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
TUC March: Disability Access
There is still one month to go before, hopefully, one of the largest demonstrations London has ever seen. The TUC is still in talks with the Met trying to ease the passage of hundreds of thousands, or more, people through the streets of London on March 26th.
Unlike the monster marches against the war a few years ago, today’s London is a very different place. We now have a reactionary Mayor in place whereas back in 2002 and 2003 we had the progressive Livingstone in place. Then we had the July 2007 bombings on London’s public transport system, which moved the government to give the security forces, including the Met, greater powers.
How many of us believe the government or Mayor Johnson or the Met wants a massive anti-government march on 26th March; and so, they'll be doing their utmost to make life difficult for us.
While I hope we can get coaches in as near as possible to drop off demonstrators maybe it will be a case of disembarking at a few miles from the centre; if it is we must ensure that those who can’t use public transport are ferried in by other means.
The organisers of this march are endeavouring to make the event as inclusive as possible. I’ve never known a march of this, predicted, magnitude to try to reach out to as many people as possible. The TUC is giving out contact details for those who need assistance on the march. For my part I’d take the TUC up on its offer of assistance and go to ‘contact page’ and email your requirements.
http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/2011/02/18/access-and-disability/
Monday, 21 February 2011
Shooting the Messenger Before the Message is Announced
Impatience, the bane of my life; a particular trait that’s invariably made me look petulant and sometimes plain selfish – incidentally, I was planning to post this on the DPAC site; however, it’s not allowing me to register!
Anyway, over the past few days I’ve been following the progress of the TUC’s March on 26th March on different sites; and, while agreeing with DPAC’s, I’m a member myself, concerns about access for disabled people on the demo there is an element of impatience on our part. For instance, a letter, ‘Rights not Charity: Letter to Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary’ was written on 19th February, and today at the bottom of the letter, reproduced on the site, is, in bold: We are still waiting for a response!
The 19th was on Saturday, today’s Monday 21st February. Is it a reasonable expectation for someone to respond to a letter in such a short space of time? Doesn’t the TUC site, which is updating all the time, now give quite a comprehensive list of access details for the day of the demo. They’re also naming contacts and encouraging people to contact them with specific needs.
Of course we should be critical when our needs are ignored and unreasonably refused; but, don’t shoot the messenger before s/he’s had a chance to speak.
Anyway, over the past few days I’ve been following the progress of the TUC’s March on 26th March on different sites; and, while agreeing with DPAC’s, I’m a member myself, concerns about access for disabled people on the demo there is an element of impatience on our part. For instance, a letter, ‘Rights not Charity: Letter to Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary’ was written on 19th February, and today at the bottom of the letter, reproduced on the site, is, in bold: We are still waiting for a response!
The 19th was on Saturday, today’s Monday 21st February. Is it a reasonable expectation for someone to respond to a letter in such a short space of time? Doesn’t the TUC site, which is updating all the time, now give quite a comprehensive list of access details for the day of the demo. They’re also naming contacts and encouraging people to contact them with specific needs.
Of course we should be critical when our needs are ignored and unreasonably refused; but, don’t shoot the messenger before s/he’s had a chance to speak.
Statue of Tea Drinking Queen in Attempt to Move Attention from Cuts
Great, first a Royal wedding set for the summer and now a statue of a Portuguese rosy loving queen. If the first doesn’t take our minds off the wanton destruction of our Welfare State; or, if it fails to recapture that 1950s pro-monarchy spirit that permeate the soul of all Brits, then the second will win us around.
With all that’s going on in the world; especially, with all the cuts turmoil in Lambeth, and Stockwell will be at the front of these cuts; Stand Up for Stockwell decides to run with a story that’s so soft as to sink beneath its own mushy inconsequentiality.
Come on SUS, even I can smell the freshly dug earth under which you’re attempting to bury the bad news of vicious cuts.
Why aren’t you talking about how murderous these cuts will prove to elderly and disabled people, youngsters, and schoolchildren? Explaining that our libraries will become fond memories; how our parks will become venues for dog fighting; that our housing will rot around us; how our front line council staff will have to take on the extra work left by the backroom staff that are going to be made redundant; or, the expected escalation in crime envisaged by the cuts in the police service.
I doubt even the Portuguese will swallow a statue in exchange for the cuts about to visit people in their community.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Positive Disabled Characters in Fiction
For me, Long John Silver is a positive disabled character in fiction. Anyone who fights against injustice and repression, in my book, is a positive character.
According to Silver (in ‘Long John Silver’ by Bjorn Larsson) he lost his leg, shot by the cowardly Deval, while boarding a captured ship. Once the leg has been taken off John persuades the ships carpenter to fashion him a new leg from wood. Thus, he begins his life as a disabled pirate – no mean feat (no pun intended!)
Silver is a pirate; there’s no argument there. Conventional history and some fiction condemn pirates as bad guys, villains.
Blackbeard (Edward Teach), Henry Every (Avery), Henry Morgan, Captain Kidd, Grace O'Malley and Calico Jack (Jack Rackham) were portrayed as bloodthirsty scourges of the seven seas, and therefore enemies of the state; however, Elizabethan privateers (a posh name for state sponsored pirates) Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Richard Grenville were rewarded for their acts of piracy by the Queen Elizabeth.
Sailors back then had a tough life. Often as not shanghaied, or pressed into either the Royal Navy or onto a merchant vessal captained by a sadist who held the very existence of his crew members in his hands.
All too often men turned to piracy as a last resort; either that or succumb to the, all too often, violence of sadistic skippers. So, it was hardly surprising that bad captains were killed in acts of mutiny, with the sailors then electing a captain from amongst themselves – of course once embarked on such a course there is no turning back.
Yet, pirates, much maligned by writers, were a very civilised bunch. Silver gets a bad press in Treasure Island where Stevenson seeks to lionise the likes of Jim Hawkins, Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey and Captain Smollet; for, to do otherwise would make Silver and his crew the heroes – and, that’d never do in a Victorian novel.
Pirates, for all their faults, had many positive and honourable qualities. In the heyday of piracy, 1690-1730 as many as ⅓ of pirate crews, in and around the Middle Passage, were black – most likely taken from slavers that fell into the hands of the pirayes. This is not to say some pirates weren’t also slavers; but, it does suggest that amongst some of them a degree of democracy was in operation.
So, I still maintain Long John is a positive disabled character in fiction.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Lambeth Pan Disability Forum
The next meeting of the Lambeth Pan Disability Forum will take place on Thursday 13th January at 336 Brixton Road from 2 pm until 4 pm. Please, make every effort to attend the meeting; there is much to be discussed and done over the next few weeks with the impending welfare cuts.
Seán
Seán
Invoking Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies
I’m very uneasy about comparing the difficulties disabled people in the UK are, and have been, undergoing for some time now with what happened in Nazi Germany. The anti-disability stories in the press; the aggressive pursuit of disability benefits’ cheats; governments’ reactionary responses to Incapacity Benefit and DLA; the government’s insistence in using a one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to employing disabled people; the vicious cuts in adults services soon to be rained upon us.
We are indeed beset by an uncompromising regime ideologically bent on dismantling the welfare state; and, if in the process this sees us, disabled people, as part of the collateral damage, well just as Thatcher’s regime thought mass unemployment a price worth paying, so this crew will view the plight of disabled people in the same way.
Having said this, and being fairly confident that things will worse for a lot of us, I cannot sit back and accept the arguments that what we’re going through is in any way comparable to the systematic processes of eugenics and then murder, by means invented by the most awful of minds, visited upon disabled people in Hitler’s Germany and across occupied Europe.
Please, we need to have a sense of proportion here. While the Tories are wrong to impose such draconian, most importantly totally unnecessary, that is ideologically rather that fiscally driven, measures upon us we are not being herded into institutions and systematically killed. Nor are we having the most fiendish of experiments carried out on us, often without anaesthetics.
Yes, the Tories are the nasty party; yet, they’re a far cry from the Nazi Party. When we invoke Godwin as a comparator; when we attempt to show all bad governments in the same light as the Nazis; we do ourselves a disservice. Not only that we actually diminish the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Personally, I don’t view the Tory regime under which we’re suffering as a fascist or Nazi party. The draconian measures they’re imposing on me and people like me are harsh, yes; but, I’m not going to end up in a camp; nor am I going to be experimented upon, dipped into freezing vats of water continuously to measure my resistances to cold; or, have areas of my body subjected to heat in order to find treatments for burns, etc. These were the kind of experiments that Nazi doctors carried out on disabled people, Jews etc.
Finally, I’m no apologist for this Tory crew we are saddled with. I despise them with my heart and soul; and, would call out to all disabled people who are able to take part in any local actions that are taking place against the cuts. I’d also like to invite you all to the TUC’s March for the Alternative: Jobs – Growth – Justice on 26th March in Central London. I’m speaking with the TUC, the demo’s organiser, about allowing disabled people to be at the front of the march from start to finish.
We are indeed beset by an uncompromising regime ideologically bent on dismantling the welfare state; and, if in the process this sees us, disabled people, as part of the collateral damage, well just as Thatcher’s regime thought mass unemployment a price worth paying, so this crew will view the plight of disabled people in the same way.
Having said this, and being fairly confident that things will worse for a lot of us, I cannot sit back and accept the arguments that what we’re going through is in any way comparable to the systematic processes of eugenics and then murder, by means invented by the most awful of minds, visited upon disabled people in Hitler’s Germany and across occupied Europe.
Please, we need to have a sense of proportion here. While the Tories are wrong to impose such draconian, most importantly totally unnecessary, that is ideologically rather that fiscally driven, measures upon us we are not being herded into institutions and systematically killed. Nor are we having the most fiendish of experiments carried out on us, often without anaesthetics.
Yes, the Tories are the nasty party; yet, they’re a far cry from the Nazi Party. When we invoke Godwin as a comparator; when we attempt to show all bad governments in the same light as the Nazis; we do ourselves a disservice. Not only that we actually diminish the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Personally, I don’t view the Tory regime under which we’re suffering as a fascist or Nazi party. The draconian measures they’re imposing on me and people like me are harsh, yes; but, I’m not going to end up in a camp; nor am I going to be experimented upon, dipped into freezing vats of water continuously to measure my resistances to cold; or, have areas of my body subjected to heat in order to find treatments for burns, etc. These were the kind of experiments that Nazi doctors carried out on disabled people, Jews etc.
Finally, I’m no apologist for this Tory crew we are saddled with. I despise them with my heart and soul; and, would call out to all disabled people who are able to take part in any local actions that are taking place against the cuts. I’d also like to invite you all to the TUC’s March for the Alternative: Jobs – Growth – Justice on 26th March in Central London. I’m speaking with the TUC, the demo’s organiser, about allowing disabled people to be at the front of the march from start to finish.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Suspected victims of Nazi euthanasia found in Austria
A construction project excavation in the disused grounds of a psychiatric hospital in Hall, Austria revealed the remains of possibly hundreds of mentally and physically disabled people murdered by the Nazis between 1942 and 1945.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/suspected-victims-of-nazi-euthanasia-found-in-austria-2176117.html
The ghosts from those dark pages of our history still haunt us today, and quite rightly. I don't want to forget the depths into which men plunged in order to pursue a wicked and twisted ideology.
Those murdered thousands may now only be a footnote in history; but, they were once alive like us. They once had dreams, just like us; but unlike us their lives were stolen from them. Their futures became part of our history.
RIP all victims of man’s inhumanity to man...
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/suspected-victims-of-nazi-euthanasia-found-in-austria-2176117.html
The ghosts from those dark pages of our history still haunt us today, and quite rightly. I don't want to forget the depths into which men plunged in order to pursue a wicked and twisted ideology.
Those murdered thousands may now only be a footnote in history; but, they were once alive like us. They once had dreams, just like us; but unlike us their lives were stolen from them. Their futures became part of our history.
RIP all victims of man’s inhumanity to man...
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
ILF
ILF is now only allowing recipients to hold up 4 weeks payments of ILF funding. So, once your bills, tax, insurance etc have been taken into account any surplus must be returned to the ILF.
Aside from statutory payments, according to the ILF, we’re not allowed to accrue more than the four week amount. In other words if, for instance, my full-time PA goes off sick for two or three weeks and I’m forced to use agency care I’d probably not have enough money in my contingency fund to cover the ILF portion of the bill.
Despite three fairly lengthy conversations with ILF staff; I’m getting exactly the same response. Any monies over and above normal outgoings (wages, tax and insurance) and four weeks ILF payments must be returned to the centre.
ILF are also suggesting that we hold their payments in separate accounts to any other DPs. ILF also pay at a lower rate than LAs. Following advice I raised the ILF rates to those of the LA when the pay last pay rise took place in April 2009 – the contingency I’d accrued enabled me to do so.
Therefore, I’m subsidising the ILF portion of my care package. The situation I could find myself in now is one where I have to go back to my PAs and inform them they’re looking at a cut in their hourly rates by x and y respectively – standard and enhanced hourly rates.
While I cannot pay my PAs at different rates to one another for doing a job of equal value; it seems I may have to pay them a LA rate for part of a shift and an ILF rate for another part of the same shift; doing this at a flat rate and an enhanced rate.
On bank accounts, it looks as though in order to separate the different streams of money two accounts will need to be set up. This is despite being advised from the outset, by both the LA and ILF, that lodging both pots of money in the one account was not only acceptable practice, but probably easier to manage than having separate accounts.
Currently I pay two PAs; one full time; while the other works weekends. Two sets of time sheets are produced; and, I pay out two sets of wages on a four-weekly basis. If I’m forced to toe the ILF line it will mean I have two bank accounts from which I pay two employees four different rates of pay – LA flat rate; LA overtime rate; ILF (lower) flat rate; ILF (lower) overtime rate.
Up until now I have, quite happily, dealt with wages, tax and insurance deductions, holiday pay, etc. If I’m compelled to change the, in my view reasonable, way in which I’m being asked to handle ILF affairs, then I’m in danger of losing my independence over the whole DPs system of care provision.
Aside from statutory payments, according to the ILF, we’re not allowed to accrue more than the four week amount. In other words if, for instance, my full-time PA goes off sick for two or three weeks and I’m forced to use agency care I’d probably not have enough money in my contingency fund to cover the ILF portion of the bill.
Despite three fairly lengthy conversations with ILF staff; I’m getting exactly the same response. Any monies over and above normal outgoings (wages, tax and insurance) and four weeks ILF payments must be returned to the centre.
ILF are also suggesting that we hold their payments in separate accounts to any other DPs. ILF also pay at a lower rate than LAs. Following advice I raised the ILF rates to those of the LA when the pay last pay rise took place in April 2009 – the contingency I’d accrued enabled me to do so.
Therefore, I’m subsidising the ILF portion of my care package. The situation I could find myself in now is one where I have to go back to my PAs and inform them they’re looking at a cut in their hourly rates by x and y respectively – standard and enhanced hourly rates.
While I cannot pay my PAs at different rates to one another for doing a job of equal value; it seems I may have to pay them a LA rate for part of a shift and an ILF rate for another part of the same shift; doing this at a flat rate and an enhanced rate.
On bank accounts, it looks as though in order to separate the different streams of money two accounts will need to be set up. This is despite being advised from the outset, by both the LA and ILF, that lodging both pots of money in the one account was not only acceptable practice, but probably easier to manage than having separate accounts.
Currently I pay two PAs; one full time; while the other works weekends. Two sets of time sheets are produced; and, I pay out two sets of wages on a four-weekly basis. If I’m forced to toe the ILF line it will mean I have two bank accounts from which I pay two employees four different rates of pay – LA flat rate; LA overtime rate; ILF (lower) flat rate; ILF (lower) overtime rate.
Up until now I have, quite happily, dealt with wages, tax and insurance deductions, holiday pay, etc. If I’m compelled to change the, in my view reasonable, way in which I’m being asked to handle ILF affairs, then I’m in danger of losing my independence over the whole DPs system of care provision.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
The Diminishing Value of the TaxiCard in Lambeth
The TaxiCard scheme has always operated on an ad hoc basis; the criteria for entry differed from borough to borough; some boroughs gave people the choice of TaxiCard or Freedom Pass; indeed, as I recall at least one borough wouldn’t award the card to Blue Badge holders. The number of journeys varied from borough to borough as did the disabled persons contribution; and, while a lot of boroughs allowed stagecoaching some didn’t, or at least resisted it for years.
After taking a look through the London Boroughs site (see link below) at what the different boroughs are doing I notice that most are increasing the passenger contribution by £1 to £2.50. Now, while this in of itself doesn’t appear a massive rise; so much so the London Council site tries to play down the rise as being the first in 15 years.
But, the site while playing up this detail overlooks the fact that the subsidy has never kept pace with either inflation or the cost of living; thus, the TaxiCard user has seen a real term rise in the cost of their journeys as taxi fares have gone up over the years.
When I first started using TaxiCard I could get from home to Kings Cross Station, around 4.5 miles on one journey. Today, I can barely travel 3 miles, more like 2.5, before having to swipe my card again or suffer the excess fare. With the £2 per journey cut in subsidy it is barely worth holding a card.
That’s the down side from a user’s point of view. These changes in TaxiCard subsidy and the closing down of stagecoaching are also going to impact on the provider, the London cabbie.
The past couple of years have, in my opinion, seen quite an improvement in the reliability of TaxiCard. Where I live, in Lambeth, 2.5 miles from parliament or 3 from Covent Garden, is fairly central; yet, back in 2008 I still experienced problems getting a ComCab from my home – due to their unavailability.
A combination of the recession (you can trust a shortage of work in the centre of town to force a cabbie to widen his horizons in the quest of earning a pound note) and operational changes has improved the system no end – for instance on Saturday evening last, despite a heavy snowfall in Inner and Central London, my taxi turned up in good time and ferried me over to a party in Aldersgate Street, in the City.
The reductions in subsidy, but more especially the scrapping, in most boroughs, of the practice of stagecoaching will, I feel, deter a lot of cab drivers from the system. At the moment when I get into a cab I’ve ordered by phone I tend not to take too much notice of the run in charge on the meter – unless it’s an excessive amount. Because I tend to make journeys that involve a swipe, the run in charge becomes immaterial – that is, my journey is over 3 miles therefore whether the meter reads £3.40 or £4.50 my trip will necessitate two TaxiCard journeys.
Talking to cabbies, as I do, there is a sense that they can earn out of the double swipe trip as most of the second fare doesn’t usually reach the subsidy limit.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/default.htm
After taking a look through the London Boroughs site (see link below) at what the different boroughs are doing I notice that most are increasing the passenger contribution by £1 to £2.50. Now, while this in of itself doesn’t appear a massive rise; so much so the London Council site tries to play down the rise as being the first in 15 years.
But, the site while playing up this detail overlooks the fact that the subsidy has never kept pace with either inflation or the cost of living; thus, the TaxiCard user has seen a real term rise in the cost of their journeys as taxi fares have gone up over the years.
When I first started using TaxiCard I could get from home to Kings Cross Station, around 4.5 miles on one journey. Today, I can barely travel 3 miles, more like 2.5, before having to swipe my card again or suffer the excess fare. With the £2 per journey cut in subsidy it is barely worth holding a card.
That’s the down side from a user’s point of view. These changes in TaxiCard subsidy and the closing down of stagecoaching are also going to impact on the provider, the London cabbie.
The past couple of years have, in my opinion, seen quite an improvement in the reliability of TaxiCard. Where I live, in Lambeth, 2.5 miles from parliament or 3 from Covent Garden, is fairly central; yet, back in 2008 I still experienced problems getting a ComCab from my home – due to their unavailability.
A combination of the recession (you can trust a shortage of work in the centre of town to force a cabbie to widen his horizons in the quest of earning a pound note) and operational changes has improved the system no end – for instance on Saturday evening last, despite a heavy snowfall in Inner and Central London, my taxi turned up in good time and ferried me over to a party in Aldersgate Street, in the City.
The reductions in subsidy, but more especially the scrapping, in most boroughs, of the practice of stagecoaching will, I feel, deter a lot of cab drivers from the system. At the moment when I get into a cab I’ve ordered by phone I tend not to take too much notice of the run in charge on the meter – unless it’s an excessive amount. Because I tend to make journeys that involve a swipe, the run in charge becomes immaterial – that is, my journey is over 3 miles therefore whether the meter reads £3.40 or £4.50 my trip will necessitate two TaxiCard journeys.
Talking to cabbies, as I do, there is a sense that they can earn out of the double swipe trip as most of the second fare doesn’t usually reach the subsidy limit.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/default.htm
Changes to Lambeth's TaxiCard Scheme
TaxiCard Information in Lambeth
Address
LB Lambeth Accessible Transport Unit
Adults and Community Services
Ground Floor, Hopton House
243a Streatham High Road
London, SW16 6EY
Telephone
020 7926 0746
Fax: 020 7926 5143
Taxicard details to 3 January 2011
Trips: 12 a month (rollover)
£10.30/£11.30/£12.80 maximum subsidies per trip
Maximum run in: £3.40
Minimum Fare: £1.50
Taxicard details from 4 January 2011
Trips: 12 a month (rollover). However, please note that from 1 April 2011, this will change to 104 trips a year.
£8.30/£9.30/£10.80 maximum subsidies per trip
Maximum run in: £3.40
Minimum fare: £2.50
No double swiping
If you would like advice about using London’s transport, you may like to contact Transport for All’s Advocacy and Advice Line on 020 7737 2339. Transport for All is an organisation of disabled and older people. It provides advice, information and advocacy about travelling in London, and campaigns for a fully accessible, reliable and affordable transport network for disabled and older Londoners.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/yourborough/lambeth.htm
Address
LB Lambeth Accessible Transport Unit
Adults and Community Services
Ground Floor, Hopton House
243a Streatham High Road
London, SW16 6EY
Telephone
020 7926 0746
Fax: 020 7926 5143
Taxicard details to 3 January 2011
Trips: 12 a month (rollover)
£10.30/£11.30/£12.80 maximum subsidies per trip
Maximum run in: £3.40
Minimum Fare: £1.50
Taxicard details from 4 January 2011
Trips: 12 a month (rollover). However, please note that from 1 April 2011, this will change to 104 trips a year.
£8.30/£9.30/£10.80 maximum subsidies per trip
Maximum run in: £3.40
Minimum fare: £2.50
No double swiping
If you would like advice about using London’s transport, you may like to contact Transport for All’s Advocacy and Advice Line on 020 7737 2339. Transport for All is an organisation of disabled and older people. It provides advice, information and advocacy about travelling in London, and campaigns for a fully accessible, reliable and affordable transport network for disabled and older Londoners.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/yourborough/lambeth.htm
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Tory Propaganda Finds Success
" I presume the finanical chaos left by the former government precludes the current government and councils/local authorities being in a position to relax the imposed charges." Qoth some colonel out in the shires.
The financial chaos we find ourselves in today is that created by high flying gung-ho bankers and their cohorts in the financial markets. The conditions they operated in were laid down by an over-permissive neo-liberal economic system which has blighted poorer people in this country, and abroad for well over a quarter of a century.
Blaming the former government for the deficit is simply swallowing the right-wing propaganda spread by a Tory owned press and acquiescent BBC and visual media. If the UK crisis was created by Labour, how do you then account for Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia and Germany etc...?
Even Brown couldn’t manage that! No, all those countries fell foul of recession and varying degrees of collapse of their financial institutions due to their adherence and over-dependence on the false economy of neo-liberalism.
There are other ways in which this Tory junta could alleviate and deal with the deficit. Incidentally, today’s deficit is a mere 30% of that which the UK had to contend with back in 1945. At that time a Labour government introduced a welfare state – one fit for the heroes returning from war and the heroes who had suffered great deprivation at home – and built 1,000,000 new homes.
Unfortunately, this mob we’ve in now will steal our public services from under our noses, selling them off to their friends in the private sector; this will be the biggest giveaway since Thatcher’s ‘selling off’ of the family silver in the 80s and 90s.
So readers, I beg of you not to be sucked into the great lie that says the only way to pay off the Tory bankers’ deficit is by punishing people who carry out vital public services and taking life enhancing services away from us users. There are a number of ways the Tories could reduce the deficit:
• Introduce a progressive taxation system.
• Go after those who cheat and don’t pay their share – the £6 billion in tax owed by Vodaphone, and then with a stroke of a pen expunged, could have meant councils needn’t make cuts this year. The Vodaphone non-payment is but one amongst scores and hundreds amounting to many scores of billions each year.
• A Robin Hood Tax – a tiny tax of about 0.05% on transactions like stocks, bonds, foreign currency and derivatives. Could raise £250 billion a year globally, or £20 billion in the UK alone. Well-tested, cheap to implement and hard to avoid.
But, why would this Tory regime even bother to consider anything that breaks with their political ideology. An ideology that would rather endure a few years of recession, thus breaking trade union influence, selling off whatever else is left in the public sector, eroding terms and conditions of the majority of workers; thus, ending up with a workforce fit for purpose; one which is badly paid, overworked, poorly valued, but compliant.
The financial chaos we find ourselves in today is that created by high flying gung-ho bankers and their cohorts in the financial markets. The conditions they operated in were laid down by an over-permissive neo-liberal economic system which has blighted poorer people in this country, and abroad for well over a quarter of a century.
Blaming the former government for the deficit is simply swallowing the right-wing propaganda spread by a Tory owned press and acquiescent BBC and visual media. If the UK crisis was created by Labour, how do you then account for Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia and Germany etc...?
Even Brown couldn’t manage that! No, all those countries fell foul of recession and varying degrees of collapse of their financial institutions due to their adherence and over-dependence on the false economy of neo-liberalism.
There are other ways in which this Tory junta could alleviate and deal with the deficit. Incidentally, today’s deficit is a mere 30% of that which the UK had to contend with back in 1945. At that time a Labour government introduced a welfare state – one fit for the heroes returning from war and the heroes who had suffered great deprivation at home – and built 1,000,000 new homes.
Unfortunately, this mob we’ve in now will steal our public services from under our noses, selling them off to their friends in the private sector; this will be the biggest giveaway since Thatcher’s ‘selling off’ of the family silver in the 80s and 90s.
So readers, I beg of you not to be sucked into the great lie that says the only way to pay off the Tory bankers’ deficit is by punishing people who carry out vital public services and taking life enhancing services away from us users. There are a number of ways the Tories could reduce the deficit:
• Introduce a progressive taxation system.
• Go after those who cheat and don’t pay their share – the £6 billion in tax owed by Vodaphone, and then with a stroke of a pen expunged, could have meant councils needn’t make cuts this year. The Vodaphone non-payment is but one amongst scores and hundreds amounting to many scores of billions each year.
• A Robin Hood Tax – a tiny tax of about 0.05% on transactions like stocks, bonds, foreign currency and derivatives. Could raise £250 billion a year globally, or £20 billion in the UK alone. Well-tested, cheap to implement and hard to avoid.
But, why would this Tory regime even bother to consider anything that breaks with their political ideology. An ideology that would rather endure a few years of recession, thus breaking trade union influence, selling off whatever else is left in the public sector, eroding terms and conditions of the majority of workers; thus, ending up with a workforce fit for purpose; one which is badly paid, overworked, poorly valued, but compliant.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
More to accessibility than ramps and designated areas
London buses may have wheelchair spaces allocated; they may have ramps to assist wheelchair users off and on. Sadly, what London buses do not have are very tolerant or understanding passengers.
You can put in place all the infrastructural access elements in the world. However, if certain elements within society then choose to ignore the infrastructural enhancements, then the thing becomes useless to those it was intended to benefit.
If other public transport users refuse to accommodate wheelchair users and other disabled travellers; if they refuse to move out of designated areas or even give us room to get on a vehicle, then access aids are pointless. On trains, if people block us in with luggage; or if they pile luggage in doorways, thus obstructing our freedom of movement; then, they are effectively pushing us off trains; they’re contributing to our sense of isolation.
You can put in place all the infrastructural access elements in the world. However, if certain elements within society then choose to ignore the infrastructural enhancements, then the thing becomes useless to those it was intended to benefit.
If other public transport users refuse to accommodate wheelchair users and other disabled travellers; if they refuse to move out of designated areas or even give us room to get on a vehicle, then access aids are pointless. On trains, if people block us in with luggage; or if they pile luggage in doorways, thus obstructing our freedom of movement; then, they are effectively pushing us off trains; they’re contributing to our sense of isolation.
ACCEPTABLE TERMS
DISABLED PEOPLE
This is acceptable because one can understand from it that we are disabled by society.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Some people prefer this because it emphasis’s that, first and foremost, we are human beings and should be treated as such.
PHYSICAL/SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
This is used to refer to a condition, rather than the above which are about the social context.
PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
A phrase that can be used for any disabled person.
SERVICE USER
A phrase that can be used for any disabled person who uses a voluntary or statutory service, rather than ‘client’.
WHEELCHAIR-USER
These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.
PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR
A more factual term.
ESSENTIAL WHEELCHAIR-USER
A small proportion of wheelchair-users cannot transfer onto other seating.
DISABLING CONDITION
This is an accurate description, not a value judgment.
A PAINFUL BACK / DAMAGED EYE / PARALYSED ARM ETC.
These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.
PEOPLE OF SHORT STATURE OR RESTRICTED GROWTH
This is a more factual description.
PERSON WITH CEREBRAL PALSY / CP
This is the phrase now used instead of ‘Spastic’.
SPINAL CURVATURE
This is preferred to ‘Hunchback’.
DEAF
People with a high degree of deafness usually like to be called deaf. They feel there is no stigma attached to it and they are proud to be who they are.
HEARING IMPAIRED
Some people, particularly those who are not completely deaf, prefer this phrase.
HARD OF HEARING
This is acceptable, particularly to older people with hearing loss.
BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
These are acceptable terms. Don’t forget that many blind people, though registered blind, do have some limited sight.
AN ACCESSIBLE TOILET OR TOILET FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
This is the proper description for a toilet specifically built / adapted for use by disabled people.
This is acceptable because one can understand from it that we are disabled by society.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Some people prefer this because it emphasis’s that, first and foremost, we are human beings and should be treated as such.
PHYSICAL/SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
This is used to refer to a condition, rather than the above which are about the social context.
PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
A phrase that can be used for any disabled person.
SERVICE USER
A phrase that can be used for any disabled person who uses a voluntary or statutory service, rather than ‘client’.
WHEELCHAIR-USER
These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.
PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR
A more factual term.
ESSENTIAL WHEELCHAIR-USER
A small proportion of wheelchair-users cannot transfer onto other seating.
DISABLING CONDITION
This is an accurate description, not a value judgment.
A PAINFUL BACK / DAMAGED EYE / PARALYSED ARM ETC.
These are accurate descriptions, not value judgments.
PEOPLE OF SHORT STATURE OR RESTRICTED GROWTH
This is a more factual description.
PERSON WITH CEREBRAL PALSY / CP
This is the phrase now used instead of ‘Spastic’.
SPINAL CURVATURE
This is preferred to ‘Hunchback’.
DEAF
People with a high degree of deafness usually like to be called deaf. They feel there is no stigma attached to it and they are proud to be who they are.
HEARING IMPAIRED
Some people, particularly those who are not completely deaf, prefer this phrase.
HARD OF HEARING
This is acceptable, particularly to older people with hearing loss.
BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED
These are acceptable terms. Don’t forget that many blind people, though registered blind, do have some limited sight.
AN ACCESSIBLE TOILET OR TOILET FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
This is the proper description for a toilet specifically built / adapted for use by disabled people.
Keith Faulkner RIP
Keith Faulkner – TUC Conference Organiser
First met Keith at the Congress House many years ago; Keith was a big guy, 6’ 3”, or there abouts; rangy with long greyish hair, often worn in a ponytail, Keith could be seen in and around the building, usually when events were occurring.
Keith was responsible for the TUC Conference set-up and a whole load of other events that were held at the TUC or by the TUC. Though a big guy, Keith went about his business in a quiet manner, always ready to give assistance or lend a hand if and where needed.
Before I began bringing my own seating to conferences set up by Keith, he’d spot me coming into the conference hall or arena and be at hand to show me where my ‘special’ chair was; if it needed to be changed or moved, he was the man who’d sort it out, no fuss or bother.
Many is the time that I’ve eyed up a ramp in readiness to assault the thing, only for Keith to say “Ok Seán, I’ve got you mate,” and the ramp was taken care of in a flash, saving my poor old arms and shoulders.
Some years ago, when new to the conference scene, I needed to speak to someone about access issues at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. After a few phone calls I ended up speaking to the person who set up the TUC conference, Keith, and we spent almost an hour discussing the different access issues thrown up by various venues across the country. Alas, on that occasion were unable to marry-up the perfect venue with the best accommodation; while one conference venue was great, the town was short of decent and plentiful reasonably priced accommodation.
On that occasion we agreed to keep in touch with one and other; and, if I had any concerns with venues booked by the TUC I had only to give Keith a bell and we’d discuss things.
Keith was a gentle man always willing to lend a hand and smile; and, he’ll be sorely missed by all those who knew him, both professionally and personally.
Keith Faulkner RIP
By Seán McGovern
First met Keith at the Congress House many years ago; Keith was a big guy, 6’ 3”, or there abouts; rangy with long greyish hair, often worn in a ponytail, Keith could be seen in and around the building, usually when events were occurring.
Keith was responsible for the TUC Conference set-up and a whole load of other events that were held at the TUC or by the TUC. Though a big guy, Keith went about his business in a quiet manner, always ready to give assistance or lend a hand if and where needed.
Before I began bringing my own seating to conferences set up by Keith, he’d spot me coming into the conference hall or arena and be at hand to show me where my ‘special’ chair was; if it needed to be changed or moved, he was the man who’d sort it out, no fuss or bother.
Many is the time that I’ve eyed up a ramp in readiness to assault the thing, only for Keith to say “Ok Seán, I’ve got you mate,” and the ramp was taken care of in a flash, saving my poor old arms and shoulders.
Some years ago, when new to the conference scene, I needed to speak to someone about access issues at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. After a few phone calls I ended up speaking to the person who set up the TUC conference, Keith, and we spent almost an hour discussing the different access issues thrown up by various venues across the country. Alas, on that occasion were unable to marry-up the perfect venue with the best accommodation; while one conference venue was great, the town was short of decent and plentiful reasonably priced accommodation.
On that occasion we agreed to keep in touch with one and other; and, if I had any concerns with venues booked by the TUC I had only to give Keith a bell and we’d discuss things.
Keith was a gentle man always willing to lend a hand and smile; and, he’ll be sorely missed by all those who knew him, both professionally and personally.
Keith Faulkner RIP
By Seán McGovern
WHY CAN’T DISABLED PEOPLE USE THE TUBE?
Jody McIntyre posed the following questions on his excellent Blog ‘Life on Wheels'.
http://jodymcintyre.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/film-1-we-want-equality/#comments
My response:
Because, the voiceless are not heard.
But, things are changing; and, as the actions and words of activists such as Jody McIntyre are beamed across the world via the Internet, TV and press so the level of our voice begins to rise above the hubbub of our oppressors.
Back in 1995 we got the DDA; and with it came promises of accessible transport sometime in the future – full compliance of buses and trains by 2019 and 2020 respectively. Most disabled people with a finger anywhere near the pulse of what’s-going-on-out-there-in-our-name knows that all buses and trains will not be compliant by those dates – after all they’ve only had a generation to prepare for this – and, they’ll be lodging requests for concessions from compliance to whichever compliant government is in place.
Thousands of disabled people, who were given a soupcon of hope in 1995, have since tootled off to pastures new; and, sadly thousands more will pass on through without benefitting from a fully accessible transport system by the time ‘full compliance’ is in place.
However, by full compliance read a fully compliant public transport system minus a few concessions – the London Underground system for example. Anyway, why all the fuss? Didn’t Simon Hoggart clear this issue up a few years ago when he wondered why the wheelchair users were complaining about the tube system, since he rarely saw a wheelie using the tube!
You couldn’t make it up; could you? Out of the mouths of babes and the sophisticated literati...
Seán
http://jodymcintyre.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/film-1-we-want-equality/#comments
“How can we claim to be living in a developed country, a “free democracy”, when such a large section of society are denied the right to use our public transport. Can you imagine this being accepted for any other group of people… no women on buses? No black people on trains?
Then WHY is it OK for disabled people?"
My response:
Because, the voiceless are not heard.
But, things are changing; and, as the actions and words of activists such as Jody McIntyre are beamed across the world via the Internet, TV and press so the level of our voice begins to rise above the hubbub of our oppressors.
Back in 1995 we got the DDA; and with it came promises of accessible transport sometime in the future – full compliance of buses and trains by 2019 and 2020 respectively. Most disabled people with a finger anywhere near the pulse of what’s-going-on-out-there-in-our-name knows that all buses and trains will not be compliant by those dates – after all they’ve only had a generation to prepare for this – and, they’ll be lodging requests for concessions from compliance to whichever compliant government is in place.
Thousands of disabled people, who were given a soupcon of hope in 1995, have since tootled off to pastures new; and, sadly thousands more will pass on through without benefitting from a fully accessible transport system by the time ‘full compliance’ is in place.
However, by full compliance read a fully compliant public transport system minus a few concessions – the London Underground system for example. Anyway, why all the fuss? Didn’t Simon Hoggart clear this issue up a few years ago when he wondered why the wheelchair users were complaining about the tube system, since he rarely saw a wheelie using the tube!
You couldn’t make it up; could you? Out of the mouths of babes and the sophisticated literati...
Seán
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
How to withhold 'personal contributions' elements of DPs?
On Ouch today someone complained about an amount they'd been asked to contribute towards their personal care package. The LA in question was imposing a levy from the persons DLA towards their DPs. Another Oucher suggested withholding payment altogether; citing the councils very often capitulated to this form of passive resistence.
However, if you’re in receipt of Direct Payments refusal to pay your ‘share’ of the care costs presents problems. My package comes from the council and ILF. Both these parties have assessed my income and as a result I make a contribution to both pots of money.
The point is that I have to physically pay that money into my DP’s account; as my DP’s are paid to me minus the amount I’m expected to pay. Therefore, if I refuse to pay I’m the one penalised as I’ll not receive care to the value of my contribution.
It’s quite ingenious really; you’re stuffed if you do and stuffed if you don’t. Coughing-up the ackers leaves you in Penury Place, but at least you’re clean and dressed; by reneging you’re in Easy Street, but you smell a bit and are naked from the waist down.
Rebelling against the system is fine when you hold some half-decent cards. However, when the establishment is the banker and dealer holding all the cards; well, it’s very difficult to rebel.
Should I decide to cease my personal contributions tomorrow it would only be a matter of time before my LA sent in the social workers to reassess my care needs. By withholding my contribution I’d be denying myself around 7-hours care per week; and, I’m quite sure they’d reassess me as not needing these hours as I’m managing without them.
In the days before DPs many disabled people did refuse to pay for personal care. This care was directly provided by the council (or through a third party in the form of an agency); and, the client was invoiced by the provider, thus giving the client the opportunity to withhold payment.
Under those circumstances quite a few councils ‘caved-in’ under pressure from disabled who refused to pay. Of course, these were one-offs. While the LA might have buckled under pressure from one tenacious client they still imposed charges on the rest – the majority.
It is very sad that we can’t take some form of class action with such issues. Collectively we’d stand a great chance of having some of these financially punitive measures lifted. As individuals all we can do is fight our corner; sometimes win; and, when we win sign gagging orders in order to protect our oppressors.
However, if you’re in receipt of Direct Payments refusal to pay your ‘share’ of the care costs presents problems. My package comes from the council and ILF. Both these parties have assessed my income and as a result I make a contribution to both pots of money.
The point is that I have to physically pay that money into my DP’s account; as my DP’s are paid to me minus the amount I’m expected to pay. Therefore, if I refuse to pay I’m the one penalised as I’ll not receive care to the value of my contribution.
It’s quite ingenious really; you’re stuffed if you do and stuffed if you don’t. Coughing-up the ackers leaves you in Penury Place, but at least you’re clean and dressed; by reneging you’re in Easy Street, but you smell a bit and are naked from the waist down.
Rebelling against the system is fine when you hold some half-decent cards. However, when the establishment is the banker and dealer holding all the cards; well, it’s very difficult to rebel.
Should I decide to cease my personal contributions tomorrow it would only be a matter of time before my LA sent in the social workers to reassess my care needs. By withholding my contribution I’d be denying myself around 7-hours care per week; and, I’m quite sure they’d reassess me as not needing these hours as I’m managing without them.
In the days before DPs many disabled people did refuse to pay for personal care. This care was directly provided by the council (or through a third party in the form of an agency); and, the client was invoiced by the provider, thus giving the client the opportunity to withhold payment.
Under those circumstances quite a few councils ‘caved-in’ under pressure from disabled who refused to pay. Of course, these were one-offs. While the LA might have buckled under pressure from one tenacious client they still imposed charges on the rest – the majority.
It is very sad that we can’t take some form of class action with such issues. Collectively we’d stand a great chance of having some of these financially punitive measures lifted. As individuals all we can do is fight our corner; sometimes win; and, when we win sign gagging orders in order to protect our oppressors.
Hat's Off to Those Who 'Do'!
“He is an Anarchist who openly admits to confrontation wherever he goes.
He should be treated the same as the other rioters, prosecuted jailed & the key thrown away.
I'm not saying i don't agree with Demonstrations but they nust be peaceful, unfortunately people travelled from all over the World to take part in this rioting.
I welcome the use of water cannon as the latest idea to stop the havoc caused by these lowlife.
It's you & me who are going to have to pay for all the damage & repairs.”
So qoth yet another disaffected law-abiding citizen; doubtlessly fulminating at the temerity of those who get and ‘do’ whilst he sits in proud impotence pondering on the plight his own powerlessness.
The damage caused by students on demos is of nothing compared to the damage and mayhem being caused by this Tory government; ‘tis merely a drop in an ocean of troubles.
The student protests of the past few weeks are a just a prelude; if you like, the hors d’œuvre to the main courses, the first of which will be served up in January when VAT is increased to 20%; and, when fares on public transport rise disproportionately to inflation just after Christmas.
During March scores of thousands of local authority and public services workers will lose their jobs. Similarly, thousands upon thousands of us disabled people will be stripped of our care packages as LA’s begin to dole out care on a statutory basis – that is those of us assessed to have critical care needs.
Between the vicious tactics of the police and the cavalier abandonment of the welfare state by a government hell-bent on hoovering-up the last vestiges of anything publically owned, they’ll manage to politicise hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens – and, it won’t be the polite politics of parliamentary prudence they’ll learn!
As for Message 5, how exactly does one demonstrate peacefully when those charged with policing the event turn out to be the aggressors? Are you advocating the right for police to imprison people illegally as the tactic of kettling does? Collective punishments are illegal in this country; are the police in your opinion above the law? Do you accept police brutality as has been used during these student demos and more regrettably against Ian Tomlinson in April 2009?
We’re in for a protracted period of civil unrest. Sadly, it’s the only language this gang in government understand.
He should be treated the same as the other rioters, prosecuted jailed & the key thrown away.
I'm not saying i don't agree with Demonstrations but they nust be peaceful, unfortunately people travelled from all over the World to take part in this rioting.
I welcome the use of water cannon as the latest idea to stop the havoc caused by these lowlife.
It's you & me who are going to have to pay for all the damage & repairs.”
So qoth yet another disaffected law-abiding citizen; doubtlessly fulminating at the temerity of those who get and ‘do’ whilst he sits in proud impotence pondering on the plight his own powerlessness.
The damage caused by students on demos is of nothing compared to the damage and mayhem being caused by this Tory government; ‘tis merely a drop in an ocean of troubles.
The student protests of the past few weeks are a just a prelude; if you like, the hors d’œuvre to the main courses, the first of which will be served up in January when VAT is increased to 20%; and, when fares on public transport rise disproportionately to inflation just after Christmas.
During March scores of thousands of local authority and public services workers will lose their jobs. Similarly, thousands upon thousands of us disabled people will be stripped of our care packages as LA’s begin to dole out care on a statutory basis – that is those of us assessed to have critical care needs.
Between the vicious tactics of the police and the cavalier abandonment of the welfare state by a government hell-bent on hoovering-up the last vestiges of anything publically owned, they’ll manage to politicise hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens – and, it won’t be the polite politics of parliamentary prudence they’ll learn!
As for Message 5, how exactly does one demonstrate peacefully when those charged with policing the event turn out to be the aggressors? Are you advocating the right for police to imprison people illegally as the tactic of kettling does? Collective punishments are illegal in this country; are the police in your opinion above the law? Do you accept police brutality as has been used during these student demos and more regrettably against Ian Tomlinson in April 2009?
We’re in for a protracted period of civil unrest. Sadly, it’s the only language this gang in government understand.
We can afford to look after disabled and elderly people
“There is not enough money to meet the legitimate care needs of severly disabled people, nor to pay for a human rights standard for people in geriatric hospitals and care home.” Complains another dupe.
Yes there is enough money to meet the needs of disabled and elderly people. The problem is, you and others like you, have been duped into believing that our economy can only be saved by the dismantling of our welfare state. Ten-out-of-ten for this Tory junta’s ability to disseminate the great lie that disabled people and public sector workers are somehow responsible for the current deficit.
It was the bankers, not roads sweepers or disability care assistants that caused our present plight; and, it should be there that the government begins its squeeze. But of course such a proposal is preposterous; why would a Tory government turn on its own kind; it’d be akin to the LibDems voting for a massive hike in tuition fees - tantamount to political suicide (tee hee hee; wave goodbye to the LibDems as they pass us by in the tumbrel of political expediency heading [no pun intended] towards the guillotine of political oblivion).
Yes there is enough money to meet the needs of disabled and elderly people. The problem is, you and others like you, have been duped into believing that our economy can only be saved by the dismantling of our welfare state. Ten-out-of-ten for this Tory junta’s ability to disseminate the great lie that disabled people and public sector workers are somehow responsible for the current deficit.
It was the bankers, not roads sweepers or disability care assistants that caused our present plight; and, it should be there that the government begins its squeeze. But of course such a proposal is preposterous; why would a Tory government turn on its own kind; it’d be akin to the LibDems voting for a massive hike in tuition fees - tantamount to political suicide (tee hee hee; wave goodbye to the LibDems as they pass us by in the tumbrel of political expediency heading [no pun intended] towards the guillotine of political oblivion).
Suppress Hoi Poloi
“Water canon is too slow, but a plentiful supply of cheap hosepipes could be connected to taps and placed at the ready near upper windows. It would not take many police to spray the heads and feet of an approaching mob, who could avoid getting wet by going away peacefully.” The words of a reactionary who believes the state has the right to suppress all forms of protest.
Yes, why waste water on this rabble when bullets would be more effective. Kettle hoi poloi into the lumpen mass they profess to be and frog-march, or goose-step, whichever fascistic mode suits, them into the football stadia that proliferate our fair country.
Have a chat to Margaret Thatcher, I’m sure she and the butcher Pinochet enjoyed many a fireside chat about the good old days about Chile in the 1970s; when the Santiago football grounds resounded to the screams of tortured prisoners; while the political disappeared vanished from all but the hearts and memories of their families and loved ones. Maggie’ll pass on some tips on dealing with political unrest to her heirs.
Ian Tomlinson tried to walk away peacefully in April last year, as I recall; didn’t stop a policeman attacking him with quite serious results. Jean Charles de Menzes I’m informed was so busy acting peacefully it needed seven bullets just to make sure.
How many policemen does it take to kill an innocent man? None...As there are no innocent men!
Yes, why waste water on this rabble when bullets would be more effective. Kettle hoi poloi into the lumpen mass they profess to be and frog-march, or goose-step, whichever fascistic mode suits, them into the football stadia that proliferate our fair country.
Have a chat to Margaret Thatcher, I’m sure she and the butcher Pinochet enjoyed many a fireside chat about the good old days about Chile in the 1970s; when the Santiago football grounds resounded to the screams of tortured prisoners; while the political disappeared vanished from all but the hearts and memories of their families and loved ones. Maggie’ll pass on some tips on dealing with political unrest to her heirs.
Ian Tomlinson tried to walk away peacefully in April last year, as I recall; didn’t stop a policeman attacking him with quite serious results. Jean Charles de Menzes I’m informed was so busy acting peacefully it needed seven bullets just to make sure.
How many policemen does it take to kill an innocent man? None...As there are no innocent men!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Come on in WUG - no, not you Davison!
Whether or not it’s true that Bayliss is now wearing a ginger wig and taking lessons in Scouse we shouldn’t be too hard on all those misguided souls who split with the UL and followed Steve Davison into that pathetic lash-up the Workers Uniting Group – WUG.
WUG, such an onomatopoeic word; indeed, a group thrown-up, spewed forth, by that unholy triumvirate of Simpson, Bayliss and Davison. WUG would appear now to be disbanded and looking for a new home. Let’s by all means talk to the rank-and-filers. But, under no circumstances should we have any dealings with the rat Davison. Just as the old T&G BL would have no truck with Aitkin; so, the new UL shouldn’t touch, the damaged goods, Davison with a barge pole.
Yes, Lennie is the unity candidate; the extent of his vote and collapse of the Bayliss vote proves this. However, the UL cannot allow its ranks to be sullied with the likes of Davison who throughout the whole building of Unite has acted as Simpson’s hatchet man promoting and supporting every reactionary and backward action to slow down the progress of our great union.
It was a sorry day for Unite when the Left broke discipline and allowed Davison to take the position of Vice Chair. The past is the past; so, let’s remember the mistakes of yesterday and move on. However, in remembering we must ensure that Davison, if returned to the Executive, isn’t in a position to make any demands. This means we must isolate him and his kind from positions of power. Never again should the forces of reaction and self-interest be given any platform within the highest lay offices of Unite the Union.
Seán
WUG, such an onomatopoeic word; indeed, a group thrown-up, spewed forth, by that unholy triumvirate of Simpson, Bayliss and Davison. WUG would appear now to be disbanded and looking for a new home. Let’s by all means talk to the rank-and-filers. But, under no circumstances should we have any dealings with the rat Davison. Just as the old T&G BL would have no truck with Aitkin; so, the new UL shouldn’t touch, the damaged goods, Davison with a barge pole.
Yes, Lennie is the unity candidate; the extent of his vote and collapse of the Bayliss vote proves this. However, the UL cannot allow its ranks to be sullied with the likes of Davison who throughout the whole building of Unite has acted as Simpson’s hatchet man promoting and supporting every reactionary and backward action to slow down the progress of our great union.
It was a sorry day for Unite when the Left broke discipline and allowed Davison to take the position of Vice Chair. The past is the past; so, let’s remember the mistakes of yesterday and move on. However, in remembering we must ensure that Davison, if returned to the Executive, isn’t in a position to make any demands. This means we must isolate him and his kind from positions of power. Never again should the forces of reaction and self-interest be given any platform within the highest lay offices of Unite the Union.
Seán
Saturday, 27 November 2010
My Heart and Soul Still March Against Injustice
Alas, my days of actively demonstrating are coming to an end. But, don’t take this as me surrendering to the vagaries of age; nor an admission that being disabled in some way means I need wrapping-up and protecting; as this isn’t the case.
While it should be the inalienable right for all of us to get out and demonstrate it isn’t always practicable for some disabled people to always take part in such events. An example that comes to mind is the Wapping Dispute back in 1986-87. Though back then I wasn’t affiliated to any political party or group, another floating Leftie in a sea of Thatcher’s misery, trade union and movement campaigns excited my interest.
After visiting the picket line several times I quickly realised that this dispute, like the Miners Strike a couple of years before, was a defining moment in the history of my class. Though only at the periphery of the action I believed, as I still do, that solidarity and support for such action is the fuel that keeps the engine ticking over.
Back then, in my late 20s, my disabilities were nowhere near as incapacitating as they became; and, though I had weakness down my left side and walked with a pronounced limp, I got around relatively easily. A major inconvenience was that I couldn’t run – oh, and I still felt conscious and in some ways vulnerable about the plate in my head.
On my way to a march one day back in ’86 I met up with some NGA and Sogat mates; one of them pulled me to one side and warned me something ‘heavy’ could go down and because of my situation it could be dangerous for me to be take part in that day’s action.
He conveyed this to me in such a way that I agreed; took part in the beginning of the march and then split away and went for a drink. Back in Stockwell later that night I was having a drink in a pub watching TV news coverage of vicious mounted police attacks on trade unionists at Wapping – my mate was correct.
Had I been present there is a strong likelihood I’d have been attacked by the police as my safety mechanism is broken (I can’t run); and, with a weakened skull blows from a baton or truncheon could have proved fatal.
Coming back to today’s demonstrations; I’m still at a disadvantage. Again I still can’t run; and, though now in a wheelchair I can’t even push that at any appreciable speed. Given that I need to use a toilet with great frequency, every 40-60 minutes; I’d be really disadvantaged in a kettling situation – I’m sure Lily Law wouldn’t take my particular needs into consideration.
So, what do I do? How can I exercise my right to demonstrate against the tyrannies that are being heaped upon us today? That is, how can I peacefully participate without fear of being confined in one area by the police for maybe 8-hours without access to basic facilities such as toilets? Within a couple of hours I’d pee myself without proper amenities.
Much as I want to personally engage in actions against this vicious crew of a coalition, these wreckers of our Welfare State; am I selfish in also wish to preserve my dignity and health.
Therefore, students, trade unionists, public service workers, HNS employees, teachers, fire fighters et al; though, I may not be visible on these marches; please, rest assured that my heart and soul march to the beat of your revolutionary drums.
In the struggle
Seán McGovern
While it should be the inalienable right for all of us to get out and demonstrate it isn’t always practicable for some disabled people to always take part in such events. An example that comes to mind is the Wapping Dispute back in 1986-87. Though back then I wasn’t affiliated to any political party or group, another floating Leftie in a sea of Thatcher’s misery, trade union and movement campaigns excited my interest.
After visiting the picket line several times I quickly realised that this dispute, like the Miners Strike a couple of years before, was a defining moment in the history of my class. Though only at the periphery of the action I believed, as I still do, that solidarity and support for such action is the fuel that keeps the engine ticking over.
Back then, in my late 20s, my disabilities were nowhere near as incapacitating as they became; and, though I had weakness down my left side and walked with a pronounced limp, I got around relatively easily. A major inconvenience was that I couldn’t run – oh, and I still felt conscious and in some ways vulnerable about the plate in my head.
On my way to a march one day back in ’86 I met up with some NGA and Sogat mates; one of them pulled me to one side and warned me something ‘heavy’ could go down and because of my situation it could be dangerous for me to be take part in that day’s action.
He conveyed this to me in such a way that I agreed; took part in the beginning of the march and then split away and went for a drink. Back in Stockwell later that night I was having a drink in a pub watching TV news coverage of vicious mounted police attacks on trade unionists at Wapping – my mate was correct.
Had I been present there is a strong likelihood I’d have been attacked by the police as my safety mechanism is broken (I can’t run); and, with a weakened skull blows from a baton or truncheon could have proved fatal.
Coming back to today’s demonstrations; I’m still at a disadvantage. Again I still can’t run; and, though now in a wheelchair I can’t even push that at any appreciable speed. Given that I need to use a toilet with great frequency, every 40-60 minutes; I’d be really disadvantaged in a kettling situation – I’m sure Lily Law wouldn’t take my particular needs into consideration.
So, what do I do? How can I exercise my right to demonstrate against the tyrannies that are being heaped upon us today? That is, how can I peacefully participate without fear of being confined in one area by the police for maybe 8-hours without access to basic facilities such as toilets? Within a couple of hours I’d pee myself without proper amenities.
Much as I want to personally engage in actions against this vicious crew of a coalition, these wreckers of our Welfare State; am I selfish in also wish to preserve my dignity and health.
Therefore, students, trade unionists, public service workers, HNS employees, teachers, fire fighters et al; though, I may not be visible on these marches; please, rest assured that my heart and soul march to the beat of your revolutionary drums.
In the struggle
Seán McGovern
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