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news article. \;You can leave a comment on this story by viewing it from the BBC News website and we would encourage you\, where you feel comfortable\, to do so.\;Thank you to John McDonnell MP for Hayes &\; Harlington for his hand written response this morning. I will scan this in an add to the documents section. \;
It reads -
"\;Dear John\,
Thank you for your letter concerning DLA.
I share your concerns about the reforms to the administration of DLA and will take these issues up with Ministers. \;I have met with various welfare rights groups on the new welfare reforms and will do all I can to press for change.
Yours\,
John"\;
\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T200000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T200000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/update-requests-help-and-pro-bono URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/update-requests-help-and-pro-bono SUMMARY:Update on requests for help and \\"pro bono\\" DESCRIPTION:I have an IB50 form now thanks to the person who provided this.
Today we heard from Lawworks that they had managed to find us a legal firm that is willing to look at the legal case we have. This legal case is a collaboration with Feedback South London.
We believe there is a case concerning the Disability Living Allowance and Disability Working Allowance Act 1991 and various other pieces of legislation. \;We have not briefed or given any detail on this as yet. \;It would be unfair to do so. UNTIL we are legally sure. \;
This is an update to this entry - click here \;and the request for pro bono legal work - click here.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T201200Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T201200Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/lisa-power-tht-kvn-forum-useful-statistics URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/lisa-power-tht-kvn-forum-useful-statistics SUMMARY:Lisa Power from THT @ the KVN Forum - Useful Statistics DESCRIPTION:Lisa Power from the Terrence Higgins Trust attended the KVN Forum this evening to brief us on the activities of THT with respect to the DLA review.
Thank you to Lisa for providing us with this data.
As of the 30 May 2008 - this relates to HIV cases.
1477 claims had been cleared by the DWP.
882 claims had been reduced or disallowed.
141 claims had been re-reviewed. Of these 99 had been cleared and of those 45 had the original decision overturned.
114 claims had been appealed. Of these 54 had been cleared. 51 had been "\;lapsed"\; ( this means the DWP changed their original decision before the appeal hearing \;) &\; 1 decision was overturned.
The term "\;cleared"\; refers to claims that have been processed. The difference between for example the 141 claims for re-review and the 99 cleared are those that are still being processed at the time the information was made available.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T202300Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080701T202300Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/lisa-power-tht-kvn-forum URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/lisa-power-tht-kvn-forum SUMMARY:Lisa Power from THT @ the KVN Forum DESCRIPTION:\;Lisa Power from the Terrence Higgins Trust attended the KVN Forum this evening to answer questions from forum members on the DLA Review.
In due course the minutes will be placed by the Chairman on the KVN Forum website.
Questions were drafted in advance of the meeting from members and presented to Lisa for her perusal.
What follows are the points that I picked up.
THT was invited to take part in the DCS Advisory Panel about a year ago. \;At the time their membership of this panel was subject to a binding confidentiality agreement. \;THT considered it's position on this. They decided it was better for a HIV organisation to be involved to try and make the case for those living with HIV in the UK. \;Lisa works with another colleague on this panel. \;They managed to get members of BHIVA to also advise on the issues face by HIV people in relation to review\, the impact etc. As mentioned they made the case\, whether they were listened to by government was another issue. THT were unable to comment until the review pilot started. \;THT still meet every 3 months or so as a member of this board.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080703T132600Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080703T132600Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/quiet-yesterday URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/quiet-yesterday SUMMARY:Quiet yesterday. DESCRIPTION:I have been dealing with the comments to the last few blog entries and I would ask you to take a look.
I am under the weather at the moment so I apologise in advance if posting is sparse.
John. \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080703T141100Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080703T141100Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/just-heard-good-news-appeal URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/just-heard-good-news-appeal SUMMARY:Just heard good news on an appeal. DESCRIPTION:As you may be aware. Though this is our blog for the community. \;I also run forums elsewhere in various other community's that have an interest including the wider disabled community.
Today I heard from one individual who I have been in touch with. \;In February of this year there DLA was withdrawn and they decided to appeal. \;Today they told me the decision had been overturned and the payments back dated to February.
Whereas we always encourage you to press for a re-review and/or appeal (Oral is best). \;We know it is a decision you have to take with some thought. \;We have always supported people in whatever they have chosen to do as we fully understand the issues.
However this demonstrates that the process does work sometimes and is one of many cases on this blog.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080704T123500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080704T123500Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/information-incapacity-benefit-ib50-review-form URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/information-incapacity-benefit-ib50-review-form SUMMARY:For Information - Incapacity Benefit IB50 review form. DESCRIPTION:Some of you may have received a review form for your Incapacity Benefit - an IB50 Form.
If you get the Higher Rate Care component of Disability Living Allowance you do not have to fill this form in\, you are exempt from filling it in - click here. \;
We have been good in getting the word out on this following the original story.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080706T000000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080706T000000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/green-paper-welfare-reform-tht-email URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/green-paper-welfare-reform-tht-email SUMMARY:Green Paper on Welfare Reform\, THT - From email DESCRIPTION:Received via email and reproduced with consent.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T005100Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T005100Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/times-interview-james-purnell-mp-secretary-state-dwp URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/times-interview-james-purnell-mp-secretary-state-dwp SUMMARY:Times interview with James Purnell MP Secretary of State DWP DESCRIPTION:Click here for an interview in the Times with James Purnell MP Secretary of State for the Department for Work &\; Pensions.
It is an insight you may find useful. \;
It is the second article I have seen reporting that he may be the next leader of the government should the current Prime Minister go.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T005700Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T005700Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/written-answer-house-commons-hiv URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/written-answer-house-commons-hiv SUMMARY:Written Answer - House of Commons - HIV DESCRIPTION:\;From the http\://www.theyworkforyou.com website.
Sandra Gidley \;(Shadow Minister\, Health\; Romsey\, Liberal Democrat) | \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080707T120000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/mental-health-hiv URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/mental-health-hiv SUMMARY:Mental Health & HIV DESCRIPTION:One of the issues we at ThCell are keen to raise and "\;run with"\; are the issues around Mental Health &\; HIV. \;In the coming months we will develop a micro site from the main http\://www.tcell.org.uk website.
We feel this is an important issue that needs to be raised\, discussed and highlighted as it is often not given the importance it is due.
In the Useful Documents Section you will find some Mental Health Papers and I have just uploaded a document called "\;Key Psychological Tips for Living Confidently With HIV"\; that you may find useful.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080708T194400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080708T194400Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/quiet-day-0 URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/quiet-day-0 SUMMARY:Quiet Day. DESCRIPTION:No news today. It is the nature of such things. We still continue to work away in the background. \; \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080709T153400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080709T153400Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dla-process-charts URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dla-process-charts SUMMARY:DLA Process Charts. DESCRIPTION:I have uploaded a set of Charts to the Useful Documents Section. \;I have tried to keep these charts as simple as possible to show the flow of a claim.
Any comments\, anything that needs adding email me please to john@tcell.org.uk \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080710T231300Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080710T231300Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/tht URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/tht SUMMARY:THT DESCRIPTION:Had a meeting with Lisa Power of THT this afternoon. \;Thank you to all of who have contributed on this website as it has allowed me to feed this back to Lisa @ THT. \;It also gave me an opportunity to discuss issues about the perception of THT raised here.
Thank you to Lisa for her time. \;We have agreed to feed back any issues to her so she can raise them through the DWP DCS Advisory Panel. \;
This follows on from the KVN Forum meeting of last week. \;
\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080711T120000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080711T120000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/donations-bits-pieces-etc URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/donations-bits-pieces-etc SUMMARY:Donations\, bits & pieces etc. DESCRIPTION:Firstly thank you to those who have donated to ThCell. \;It has helped us secure two years web hosting on an ISP that gives us the technology basis we need moving forward. \;No one earns anything from this the donations are merely to meet the costs. \; Funds are paid directly (via paypal) to the ThCell bank account with the Co-operative Bank and require two signatories for a payment\, none myself. \;I have no direct access to this account and have to justify any expense to the wider group. \;
Thank you again.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080712T142900Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080712T142900Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/disabled-wrongly-denied-benefit-bbc URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/disabled-wrongly-denied-benefit-bbc SUMMARY:\\"Disabled 'wrongly denied benefit - from the BBC DESCRIPTION:Click here for the link to the BBC news article. \;You can leave a comment on this story by viewing it from the BBC News website and we would encourage you\, where you feel comfortable\, to do so.
Reproduced here for was of reading.
"\;Disabled 'wrongly denied' benefit
Disability campaigners say thousands of people who are unable to work are being wrongly denied incapacity benefit.
Charities including the Disability Alliance\, Mind and Citizens Advice say the government's system of assessing claimants is not working. They say people face hardship while appealing to restore benefits\, and that many more are incapable of appealing. The government says it is developing a new assessment system that will cut the number of wrong decisions.
\;This Friday 18th July 2008 from 5.00pm to 8.00pm there is the meeting &\; garden party of Feedback South London at The Positive Place\, 52 Deptford Broadway\, Deptford\, London SE8 4PH.
Feedback South London is for HIV+ people who access HIV services in the South of London.
Both The Positive Place &\; Feedback South London have been good friends of ThCell and this benefits campaign.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080714T132100Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080714T132100Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-and-its-own-guidance-hivaids URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-and-its-own-guidance-hivaids SUMMARY:DWP and its own Guidance on HIV/AIDS DESCRIPTION:Further to the blog entry "\;DWP's Own medical guidance on HIV/AIDS"\;. \;The content seems to have been updated after this initial blog entry.
You can find the section on the DWP website for HIV/AIDS by clicking here.
We note amongst the most important changes. Is the change to "\;Sources of Evidence"\; noting that the GP is not always aware of diagnosis. We know of some who have been "\;outed"\; to their GP because of the impatience of the DWP to wait for the consultant to return the medical report and in haste going straight to the persons non-specialised GP.
Also a new graph on the "\;Clinical Features Page"\; and AIDS defining illnesses mentioned also. Which is good to see as they seemed to not deal or recognise AIDS at all.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080716T170000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080716T170000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/fyi-roche-halt-hiv-drug-research URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/fyi-roche-halt-hiv-drug-research SUMMARY:FYI - Roche to halt HIV drug research DESCRIPTION:In case you do not subscribe to the NAM updates by email.
I raise this for your information (FYI) and the original story can be found on the NAM website by clicking here. \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080718T000000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080718T000000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/fyi-us-hiv-ban URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/fyi-us-hiv-ban SUMMARY:FYI - US & HIV ban DESCRIPTION:\;Apologies for not posting but as is the nature of HIV am "\;under the weather"\;.
From the BBC News website - click here - an item of interest.
The US Senate has voted to overturn a rule banning HIV-positive visitors from entering the US. \; The US is one of only a dozen countries - including Sudan\, Saudi Arabia\, Libya and Russia - that ban travel and immigration for HIV-positive people. America's travel ban has been in force since 1987.
US set to overturn HIV travel ban
Tomorrow\, Monday 20th July is an important day as the latest Green Paper on Welfare reform is published by the Department for Work &\; Pensions. I will blog the links tomorrow when they go live.
Whether you claim DLA or any benefit. Even if you are well enough to work at the moment\, there may come a day when you are not. The legislation proposed will have an effect.
So what can you do ?
It is important and it does and will make a difference.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T001400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T001400Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/james-purnell-dwp-webchat URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/james-purnell-dwp-webchat SUMMARY:James Purnell - DWP Webchat DESCRIPTION:Webchat with James Purnell MP Secretary of State\, on the 22nd July 2008. See this link on the Department for Work &\; Pensions website. \;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T003100Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T003100Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-bbc URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-bbc SUMMARY:DWP on the BBC DESCRIPTION:Given the launch of the Green Paper on Welfare Reform today. \;There is much in the news.
http\://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7516551.stm - "\;Benefit shake-up 'revolutionary'"\;.
or the interview with the Secretary of State on the BBC Today program \;- click here. \;
The debate is on and the Consultation document can be found on the DWP consultations pages by clicking here - "\;No one written off\: reforming welfare to reward responsibility"\;.
This is one way you can empower yourself in the decisions made about the benefits you receive now or may need in the future. \;It is a public consultation so your response is welcome.
I note many questions were asked about Mental Health &\; Multiple Barriers to Employment. \;I note one question about the need for suitably qualified and trained personnel dealing with claims. \;The Secretary of State mentioned stigma many times especially in relation to mental health. \;When the debate is published on Hansard I will link to it.
\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T203000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080721T203000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/mental-health-stigma-shout URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/mental-health-stigma-shout SUMMARY:Mental Health - Stigma Shout. DESCRIPTION:
\;Some of us with HIV also suffer with various mental issues. \;Re-think have undertaken a study of the stigma of living with mental health which is relevant\, in my view\, as it explains another barrier to us as a community.
The survey can be found by clicking here.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080723T161200Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080723T161200Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/all-party-parliamentary-group-hivaids-appg-hivaids URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/all-party-parliamentary-group-hivaids-appg-hivaids SUMMARY:All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS - APPG HIV/AIDS DESCRIPTION:Attended a meeting of the APPG HIV/AID's this week. Not related to this cause but very informative all the same.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080723T161400Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080723T161400Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/gps-hiv URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/gps-hiv SUMMARY:GP's & HIV DESCRIPTION:One of the key issues that has cropped up throughout this process has been the ability of General Practitioner's to fully understand and comment on a HIV+ persons health in relation to their claim. \;That is not to undermine the role of the GP merely they lack the specialist knowledge of a HIV consultant. \;There is also an argument that medical practitioners employed by the DWP are also not specialist enough to comment or understand HIV fully. Given that a "\;medical practitioner"\; can be a nurse for example.
On the BBC News website there is a story about GP's &\; HIV which further supports the case that they are not best placed to comment on HIV when they fail to recognise it in surgery.
Here is the story.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080724T112300Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080724T112300Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-complaints-guardian URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/dwp-complaints-guardian SUMMARY:DWP & Complaints - from the Guardian. DESCRIPTION:\;From the Guardian online - "\;Department told to 'get a grip' as it spends £\;11million on handling complaints"\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T133300Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T133300Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/shared-experience-loss-dla-email URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/shared-experience-loss-dla-email SUMMARY:A shared experience of loss of DLA from Email DESCRIPTION:\;"\;I've put in for a revision\, along with numerous supporting letters from the consultant\, G.P etc and the Citizen's Advice legal people have also written in detail to DWP supporting my request. It is just a case of waiting on that now.
Meanwhile in consequence of being no longer disabled!!! (Have DWP found a miracle cure for HIV?) and losing my entire income support\; although I am now entitled to Council Tax benefit\, the local authority want £\;770 from me that Income Support were going to pay upto next April.
And.......
....the DWP fraud department has now written to me saying I was overpaid income support between 2002 - 2007 because my circumstances changed. (They haven't from 1994 until now when DLA was removed)\, and want me to pay this money back. Just a mere £\;20294.44\, they reckon!
It's going to take them a mighty long time to extract all that from the £\;62.50 Severe Disablement Allowance I'm now left with. It is so ludicrous it is laughable.
All this as a result of losing DLA.
CAB have come across situations like this before apparently.
As you can imagine it is not too beneficial to my stress levels\, especially as my health isn't particularly brilliant at the moment."\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T134000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T134000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/summer-break URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/summer-break SUMMARY:Summer Break. DESCRIPTION:As is the nature of the Summer. Many people take vacation leave but MP's although they go on Holiday are working in their constituency until Parliament goes back in October.
We are taking this oppourtunity to work on the web site &\; have a few days here and there as a break.
We will continue to lobby. Drafting new letters for your MP's and preparing a response to the Welfare Reform Green Paper.
John.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T142000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T142000Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/last-week URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/last-week SUMMARY:Last week. DESCRIPTION:\;Last week was an important week politically and for anyone who has an illness and is currently on benefits or may need them in the future should the progression of their illness make them unfit for work.
Reflecting on last week. A member of the team forwarded me an article by Polly Toynbee from the Guardian. The article can be found by clicking here.
Some points I found interesting.
"\;Purnell could have reminded Mail readers of that strong work ethic among the battalions of cleaners and carers\, while scroungers are surprisingly few. Instead he inflamed prejudices drawn from eye-popping cases in shockumentaries about Shameless estates. It was Bill Clinton who said you can never ever be too tough on welfare\, they will always cry for more. So do you go on turning the screw for ever? That becomes self-defeating\, feeding the appetite for more loathing and less understanding of the poor."\;
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T165900Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080728T165900Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/green-paper-welfare-reform-0 URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/green-paper-welfare-reform-0 SUMMARY:Green Paper on Welfare reform. DESCRIPTION:\;In Useful Documents you will find a copy of the Welfare Reform Green Paper and the Impact Assessment.
We urge you to respond to this as per details.
END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20081119T114507Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080729T002500Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20080729T002500Z UID:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/welfare-fraud-farce-daily-mail URL;VALUE=URI:http://hivbenefits.tcell.org.uk/content/welfare-fraud-farce-daily-mail SUMMARY:The Welfare Fraud Farce - Daily Mail. DESCRIPTION:Picked up from the www.benefitsandwork.co.uk website and worthy of note here in case you missed it (as I did) initially. \;From the Daily Mail on 8th July 2008\, by Michael Lea.
\;
"\;Investigating welfare fraud last year cost taxpayers seven times the amount actually clawed back from benefits cheats. \;
END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR