Public Service Announcement

On the last day of October 2016 — The Department of Work & Pensions and The Department of Health jointly published: Improving Lives — The Work, Health and Disability Green Paper.

In this paper — a Public Consultation document — the Government has recognised that the current Employment and Support Allowance SYSTEM is failing many of the people it was set up to support. This SYSTEM is no longer fit for purpose.

The Government are asking the Public to help define, discuss and refine solutions and in doing so help bring about a fairer, resilient and reliant system which will truly encompass all of the needs of those that need to use it.

They have recognised:

· There are Systemic Issues (It is Broken)

· One Size Does Not Fit All (True Equality promotes Difference)

· There is little by the way of Practical Support offered (Money is not the only answer)

The paper is seeking your views, experiences & ideas on any of the following:

1. Understanding and Tackling Inequality
2. Supporting People Into Work
3. The Who and How of Assessing
4. Supporting Employers
5. Supporting Employment — Health & High Quality Care
6. Building Movement for Change

You can have your say on any area that interests or affects you or those you care for or support.

Full Details can be found here.

www.gov.uk/government/consultations/work-health-and-disability-improving-lives

Responses must be back by 17th February 2017.

This is your opportunity to have your voice heard — please don’t rely on others to speak for you — particularly the big organisations as often their axe may not be the same as your axe.

You do not need to be disabled or receiving Employment and Support Allowance to be able to respond to this paper.

The Consultation documents have been produced in various formats to ensure the widest possible readership.

Please pass help spread the word.

This is a great opportunity for us to make sure that there are no more Daniel Blake’s and that we can build a Diverse but Equal society.

Finally — The Call to Arms.

The following is the closing statement from the Ministerial foreword signed by Damien Green Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State of Health

“This Government is committed to acting but we can’t do it alone. Please get involved. Let’s ensure everyone has the opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them — for a healthier, working nation”