Government considering charging for appeals

[estellyn]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/20/people-stripped-benefits-charged-decision

 

 

 

 

I remember writing a post the other day on one of the threads, and considered writing that the government could be even more obstructive and start charging for appeals - then I decided no, they wouldn't be stupid enough to even consider it, and I was wrong......

[Mr.P]

Well gee, thanks Cameron & Co. Now do I get legal aid as my only source of income is suspended ?

Why not sell my kidneys to cover the cost of running your broken system.

Do you really expect me to vote for you next year ?

 

 

 

Disgusted and appalled that the idea would even be considered. However, based on previous policies introduced, not surprised.

[estellyn]

They already got rid of legal aid for benefit matters - another barrier in the way of justice if there is an issue with a benefits issue - you can't get legal aid help to pay for a specialist to assist you.

[worried parent]

This is unbelievable how could they stoop so low. If bought they would probably want the fee up front so that would stop most from appealing.

 

Lets not pretend what they are.

Edited February 21, 2014 by honeybee13

[joeski]

the tories are pure evil, once again they launch another unjustified cruel attack on the sick disabled vulnerable poor and unemployed. i really do hope it all backfires on the tories and everyone see's them for what they really are.

[Lilly_Monroe]

the tories are pure evil, once again they launch another unjustified cruel attack on the sick disabled vulnerable poor and unemployed. i really do hope it all backfires on the tories and everyone see's them for what they really are.

 

The trouble is can we say that Labour would do not likewise.

Once these ideas are out there - then they are hard to shift, especially if Cameron brings it in before the election.

 

What a cold uncaring lot they are living in their ivory towers mostly paid for by us.

[rebel11]

It's another way of reinventing the Appeals statistics, people won't be able to say 'x' number of Appeals are successful. More manipulation. They then save a good part of the £65m appeals have cost since 2000 and something.

[Lilly_Monroe]

They already got rid of legal aid for benefit matters - another barrier in the way of justice if there is an issue with a benefits issue - you can't get legal aid help to pay for a specialist to assist you.

 

I wonder why they hate us so.

It is not about the money (you heard what he said about the floods) we are a rich Country.

Why the need to persecute the sick.

I accept some people do need to get of their backsides and find work, that has long been abused, but their our many genuine people who are suffering we are not all the scroungers he paints us to be.

 

At a time when you are sick and vulnerable everything is being stripped away with nowhere to turn for help.

[antone]

I wonder why they hate us so.

It is not about the money (you heard what he said about the floods) we are a rich Country.

Why the need to persecute the sick.

I accept some people do need to get of their backsides and find work, that has long been abused, but their our many genuine people who are suffering we are not all the scroungers he paints us to be.

 

At a time when you are sick and vulnerable everything is being stripped away with nowhere to turn for help.

 

It's never been about the money - as you say, we are a rich country, we have plenty of money to take care of the sick and unemployed.

 

In the end, the welfare reforms are purely ideological.

[rebel11]

This is pretty much down to one person, whose been dying to do this since he was a failed leader of the Conservative party. It's easier to pick on the vulnerable then the likes of Amazon, Starbucks, Google etc. and multimillionaires.

[Michael Browne]

The government is considering charging people who appeal against the decision to withdraw their benefits

 

A leaked Department for Work and Pensions document obtained by The Guardian said the “introduction of a charge for people making appeals against decisions to social security tribunals” would be one possibility of raising money.

 

The newspaper cited figures showing that nearly 900,000 people had their benefits terminated in the last year, the highest figure for any 12 month period since jobseekers allowance was brought in 18 years ago.

 

Rachel Reeves, the shadow work and pensions secretary, accused the government of presiding over a “broken” benefits system. She said that 58 per cent of appeals against DWP decisions to withdraw jobseekers allowance are upheld.

 

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/charge-people-making-appeals-against-decisions-to-withdraw-benefits-leaked-document-reveals-9142783.html

[worried33]

estellyn in your view is this legal?

 

it does seem instead of fixing the core issue of why people are winning tribunals they just want to simply stop people appealing.

[estellyn]

estellyn in your view is this legal?

 

it does seem instead of fixing the core issue of why people are winning tribunals they just want to simply stop people appealing.

 

 

I'm not an expert on human rights law, but I would have thought a challenge could be made under article 14 in regards to article 6. By requiring an upfront fee, the poor would be discriminated against in their access to a fair hearing at Tribunal with regards to social security law.

 

 

Though my cynical view is that this proposed policy was deliberately leaked in order to gauge public opinion - a safe way to 'test the ground'.

[macmac]

(I remember writing a post the other day on one of the threads, and considered writing that the government could be even more obstructive and start charging for appeals - then I decided no, they wouldn't be stupid enough to even consider it, and I was wrong…..)

 

 

 

I informed our Con MP & member of the Government that the last political personage that I could recall who fell back on identifying so many scapegoats to justify political actions and cover up political mistakes was Herr. A. Hitler. I did not get a reply.

 

Now, with this proposal to charge for appeals, I start to think of benefit concentration camps (so much cheaper than housing benefits or B&B costs) but, surely, they wouldn't be stupid enough to even consider it...

[estellyn]

(I remember writing a post the other day on one of the threads, and considered writing that the government could be even more obstructive and start charging for appeals - then I decided no, they wouldn't be stupid enough to even consider it, and I was wrong…..)

 

 

 

I informed our Con MP & member of the Government that the last political personage that I could recall who fell back on identifying so many scapegoats to justify political actions and cover up political mistakes was Herr. A. Hitler. I did not get a reply.

 

Now, with this proposal to charge for appeals, I start to think of benefit concentration camps (so much cheaper than housing benefits or B&B costs) but, surely, they wouldn't be stupid enough to even consider it...

 

 

Workhouses have already been done - no reason why they couldn't be brought back. They wouldn't be called 'workhouses' of course, maybe something like 'employment and accommodation centres'.

[worried33]

indeed, and the government may try to come across as compassionate if members of the population start attacking the disabled more in streets etc. then they can claim its for their own protection.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Workhouses have already been done - no reason why they couldn't be brought back. They wouldn't be called 'workhouses' of course, maybe something like 'employment and accommodation centres'.

How about dumping hostels for the sick and unemployable.

[estellyn]

How about dumping hostels for the sick and unemployable.

 

 

No, no, you need a name that is upbeat, positive, spinnable - regardless of the true purpose.

[Lilly_Monroe]

No, no, you need a name that is upbeat, positive, spinnable - regardless of the true purpose.

Last Pit Stop before curling up your toes.

 

Sorry being upbeat is sort of hard

[estellyn]

Last Pit Stop before curling up your toes.

 

Sorry being upbeat is sort of hard

 

Transitional retraining centres?

[id6052]

rehabilitation and discretionary support academies

[estellyn]

rehabilitation and discretionary support academies

 

 

Yep, stick 'residential welfare' in front of that and I think you've got it

[rebel11]

It might well breach 'Human Rights' Act, but when have they ever cared about 'Human Rights' Act.

[worried33]

it seems germany is ready to give the uk concessions on the eu, I wonder if one of those is human rights related.

[Lilly_Monroe]

it seems germany is ready to give the uk concessions on the eu, I wonder if one of those is human rights related.

 

Probably done a deal, we will stay within the EU if you allow us leeway on HR law.

After all if we pulled out of the EU who else would support and open the flood gates to the rest of the World.