All praise to the Lib Dems for the work that they have done to remove the ridiculous situation of levying income tax on people on low incomes.

However there is more to be done. Cutting off benefits to people who fail to turn up for an interview with benefits staff sounds simple justice, but it can be lethal, and totally unjustified. You should read the case of David Clapston who died without money, with his electricity cut off and with no money to phone. If someone fails to turn up for a benefit interview they may be skiving, but more likely they are in a mess and need help. Once he had failed to turn up for an interview his benefits were cut off and he was starving, his electricity was cut off and his insulin could not be kept cold in the fridge and he died alone.

Read the story of how David Clapston’s died, although “all the proper procedures had been followed”. You will agree that there was a desperate need to reform the welfare system so that it actually provides welfare where it is needed .

https://www.change.org/p/david-cameron-hold-an-inquiry-into-benefit-sanctions-that-killed-my-brother/u/8155830?tk=WuqBwFSWQbHUiXGIkI2Ka9Fu3jOTkQuqW1sql-Emh9c&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_update_email

There is much more to be done in policy formation to support those in real need. Lib Dems do not share the view that all those on benefits are scroungers.

When I was 15 I had the privilege of meeting Lord Beveridge, who did so much to establish the Welfare State. I was impressed by him. He argued that it was the responsibility of the State to ensure that no citizen was ever destitute. We have gone now to a situation where much of welfare spending is on housing benefit, much of which goes into the pockets of landlords (because we have sold of so much of the social housing, at a huge discount), while we seem to have no support and sympathy for those in society who need a lot of personal, and a little financial help, such as David Clapston, who was destitute. He was rejected by our welfare system because he failed to turn up for an interview, and he died. This is an outrage in a civilised society.

It is an area of policy to which I hope the Lib Dems will give greater consideration.

 

DW

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