The following has been supplied by the TUC:
Over 50 charities have condemned the government for "contributing to hatred towards disabled people" by portraying them as work-shy scroungers. The Disability Benefits Consortium said the government is using 'dangerously misleading' statistics to fuel claims that high numbers of benefits claimants are faking. Department for Work and Pensions released figures last week suggested that only 7 per cent of claimants for employment support allowance, the new benefit that replacing incapacity benefits, were unable to do any sort of work. This led to press reports that the majority of sickness benefits claimants are 'faking'. TUC responded by saying the government, which has introduced much tougher and much criticised disability tests, was more interested in saving money than helping the sick or those with disabilities. Disability Alliance spokesperson Neil Coyle, echoing the TUC comments, said: 'The government must ensure appropriate support is available to disabled people to get and keep work. It is very worrying that some support has dropped in the last year. Sadly, the language to describe disabled people needing support has become more offensive and this also contributes to barriers to work as employers suspect genuinely disabled people of faking or being 'work-shy'.' Disability Benefits Consortium spokesperson Hayley Jordan condemned the "irresponsible and inaccurate portrayal of benefits claimants... Disabled people are very disappointed that the government is refusing to ensure accurate reporting and may be contributing to stigmatisation, victimisation and exclusion.'
