Today the BBC reported that Two escape from Argentine jail guarded by dummy! The report went on to say that due to a lack of funds only two out of their 15 guard towers were occupied at any given time. And, here is the 'deal breaker' (when I knew this is the best story I was going to read all day) they put a football with a prison officer's cap in a third, to create the illusion of an extra guard.
Sooner or later it all comes down to money, which has me thinking about benefits and the Government's October comprehensive spending review. For sure there are tough times ahead and everyone is going to feel the pinch and nobody is going to get out of jail free. It's easy to say we have to make cuts, but its much harder to live with the consequences of what this means in practice. If we take one crucial benefit - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - which was created to cover the extra cost associated with living with a disability. If you are a wheelchair user you might need to employ someone to change a lightbulb or someone whose dexterity is impaired might need to buy pre-prepared food at a higher cost. It's very hard to see how those two imperatives can work in tandem.
We know the storm clouds of belt tightening are gathering and while the pond is only rippling now it's a fair bet to assume it will become increasingly turbulent in the coming months. Whenever amending/cutting/means testing/reducing DLA is discussed by politicians the level of fear is palpable - and that's just from people who call the press office instead of Scope Response, our information and advice line. Oh yeah, DLA isn't a not-for-work or out-of-work benefit - and it never has been!
Where does that leave us - or more importantly - people for whom DLA is a lifeline? If you consider that the level of fraud associated with DLA overpayment is less than 1% (check out the Department of Work and Pension's full stats) I have to wonder where the fat is going to be trimmed from. If DLA bill is reduced by means testing how are some of my colleagues going to afford to get themselves ready in the morning for work, eat decent food, heat their homes, work and pay taxes? But, nothing is set in stone, we don't know how, where and by how much at this present moment in time.
We do know - like a lag guarded by a football - that the current situation will change. Where does that leave a press officer in a large disability charity? Unlike some rather statuesque Argentine prison officers the next few months are going to be busy and we have to guard against the further marginalisation of disabled people in society.
One final thing - if you would like to share with the media how important DLA (or any other benefit) is for you (you would need to be photographed and named) please get in touch on 020 7619 7702 or press-pr@scope.org.uk
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