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Welfare turns into warfare against
issN 0951-9815 unlikely enemies of the state
Volume 32, No 2, winter 2018
Published by
CL Initiatives Ltd ver the 20th century, recognition grew that all citizens, at times of difficulty or
No 6 The Square vulnerability, should be entitled to support. This would include those who
Waterhouse Green
Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley owere very young, old, sick, unemployed or in poverty as well as those who
Lancashire PR6 7LF would face problems throughout life because of some form of disability.
Tel 0125 727 0430 All this culminated in the welfare state, planned by a Liberal, William Beveridge and
Subscription enquiries enacted by the 1945 Labour government, supported by the Conservative opposition.
Rosemary Trustam There was a consensus that a contract existed between the state and the people,
Tel 0125 727 0430 without whose taxes and sacrifices the state would not exist. Support to the vulnerable
rosecli@btinternet.com
CL Initiatives Ltd was key to the contract.
(address as above) The spirit of this contract, and those shared beliefs, is now at serious risk. In this
issue, three articles suggest the state no longer sees itself as obliged to support its
editor
Simon Jarrett vulnerable citizens but is instead on a mission to sever its obligations to them.
simonj@jarr.demon.co.uk Jackie Downer (pages 12-13) has devoted her life to advocating on behalf of her
fellow citizens with learning disabilities, and has received an MBE for her work. The
Production editor
Christy Lawrance Department of Work and
www.clcomms.com Pensions (DWP) sees her
differently. She describes
A picture emerges of bureaucratic
social media editor attempts to transfer her to “
Rosemary Trustam being driven to the edge persecution and hostility towards the
t @CommLivingmag by their blundering
f www.facebook.com/ most vulnerable and their families.
CommunityLivingMagazine
universal credit. The DWP and the politicians should
research Charlie Callanan (page 7)
Julie Ridley describes how more than address this poisonous culture
Reader in social policy and practice, University
of Central Lancashire 10,000 carers face ”
prosecution, fines or
Photographer repayment orders from the DWP for overclaiming carer’s allowance. The vast majority
Seán Kelly
www.seankellyphotos.com were unaware they lost their entitlement when their employment circumstances changed.
Brian Collinge (page 22) explains the gross financial injustice brought about by the
Cartoonist/illustrator minimum income guarantee, which allows local authorities to take all earnings above a
Robin Meader
robinmeaderartist@gmail.com certain level to pay towards care costs. Is this an accidental oversight – or a conscious
attack by the government on those least able to bear and argue against it?
legal correspondent Put these stories together, and a picture emerges of bureaucratic persecution and
Belinda Schwehr LLM
Legal framework trainer and consultant hostility towards the most vulnerable and their families. When did carers and people
Care and Health Law with learning disabilities living in poverty become enemies of the state?
belinda@careandhealthlaw.com The DWP and the politicians who oversee it must address the poisonous culture that
Publisher infects their practice. They should feel shame for persecuting the people they are paid to
Rosemary Trustam protect and focus on rebuilding the welfare state contract. Their job is to protect, support
rosecli@btinternet.com and enable those most in need. They should not be at war with their own people.
editorial board
Jo Clare, CEO, Three Cs Being noticed is a matter of life or death
Noelle Blackman, CEO, Respond The Music Man Project (pages 16 and 17) demonstrates yet more amazing work in the
Tony Bamforth CEO, The Elfrida Society
Jo Adshead, CEO, Linkability performing arts by people with learning disabilities. Its shows at the Royal Albert Hall and
Sue Pemberton, CEO, Integrate Ltd the London Palladium are part of the emerging, vibrant public face of learning disability.
Jane Lloyd and Debbie Forde, senior lecturers, In a very different way, BBC drama series There She Goes (page 28) is bringing to
School of Social Work, University of Central
Lancashire public attention the struggles of parents of a child with learning disabilities. It is both
Sally Warren, MD, Paradigm gruelling and humorous.
Rosemary Trustam These both put people with learning disabilities firmly in the public eye.
Gill Levy
Gabby Machell, CEO, and Mandy Crowford, On a darker note, dangers arise when people slip from public view. Following our features
director of services, Westminster Society on the scandal of unmarked mass graves in former institutions, Jan Walmsley and Pamela
Isabelle Garnett Dale (pages 26 and 27) discuss unexplained deaths that happened and continue to happen
Simon Jarrett
in institutions. When people are hidden and forgotten about, their lives can be at risk.
Designed and printed by Our review of Edith Sheffer’s book on Hans Asperger’s activities in Nazi Austria (page
Character Graphics, Taunton, 29) shows how, given a conducive political atmosphere, death through neglect can slip
Tel 01823 279008
with horrifying ease into systematic murder.
© CL Initiatives Ltd 2018 Being noticed and cared about is quite literally a matter of life or death.
Registered charity no 1141176
Company no 7530680
Simon Jarrett
Editor
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 32 No 2 | Winter 2018 3
