The government has denied it did not fully consult with medical experts, charities and disability activists before pushing through its radical and heavily criticised reforms to disability benefits, saying all opinions were fully taken into consideration before being totally ignored.
After a critical report published today accused the government of not listening to widespread criticisms that the reforms would drive disabled people into greater poverty, a government spokesperson denied the accusations, saying:
Everyone with an interest in these changes was fully and equally consulted and carefully listened to before we decided to go ahead and ignore them anyway.
The report, entitled Responsible Reform, shows that despite there being as much as 98% opposition by medical experts and disability charities to some of the government’s proposals, the government decided to push ahead with the reforms anyway. However, the spokesperson insisted the government was willing to accept contributions from anyone:
We made it very clear from the beginning we were willing to take any contributions into account – especially into our off-shore one because we won’t need to pay any tax on that. But most disabled people are so hard-up, especially after our reforms, we didn’t get any offers of contributions at all – not even a free lunch in a posh restaurant somewhere.
When it was pointed out that taking contributions into account during a consultation process is supposed to mean the government should be listening to expert opinions, not accepting party donations, the spokesperson said:
Don’t be daft. We’re Tories. Everyone knows the only professional assessments of our policies we’re interested in, are the ones telling us how much dosh we’re going to be making from them.
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That’s the satire. Here are the facts. The government’s welfare reform bill will be disastrous for sick and disabled people. See here for more information:
Disabled people listened to on welfare plans? It’s a government sham.
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Please feel free to comment – you don’t need to register and I’m extremely minimal with the moderating – so fire away.
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Pride's Purge 
It is sham,how much has the government paid to which consultancies to conduct this and other sham listening exercises?
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Perhaps we should fill out a DLA form for Maria Miller, it’s obvious that she is deaf / blind.
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Please sign Pat’s Petition. This is a petition placed on the government’s own website. It calls for the government to “Stop and review the cuts to benefits and services which are falling disproportionately on disabled people, their carers and families”. The link is here
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968
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There was so little response. Not many of us knew about the consultation. I as a carer was lucky that I managed to answer. However at the time understood very little about it. It is only now with the support of many on facebook I have learnt so much more about the implications.Even going to my local MP did nothing. He took no interest in my difficulties as a Carer or my daughter’s point of view. We went there as an example of many and he cared very little to the point we walked out. Everyone who it affected should have been consulted even those with a learning disability such as my daughter.I think it is deplorable that government is making these cuts and should look at their own backyard first to make cuts.
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I know Simone – the consultation was a farce. But this action today has started to make them sit up and listen hopefully.
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Good point. Thanks for the link.
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Ha!
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Yes. If you’re not sure what it’s about – it’s always about the money.
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