The Hurricane’s of Change, are a Blowin’!

“There is a wind of change blowing across….”

I can’t remember exactly who said the quote but by deduction I believe it was Neville Chamberlain after getting out of an aircraft just before the start of the Second World War. Two months into the ConDem Coalition Government formation and I think it is fairly noticeable that the winds aren’t blowing anymore, there is a full blown Hurricane whistling down the Halls and corridors of power in Westminster and across the country! The speed of change and style of leadership is both awe inspiring and frightening at the same time! Government is not supposed to/can’t work this quickly, allegedly. It has in the past moved with the grace and posture of an Icelandic Glacier. Whilst frustrating, you know it is going to get there, just a decade or two behind everyone else.

I don’t think anyone can say with a straight face, that Labour’s idea’s of spending to get us out of a recession haven’t brought the nation to the brink of bankruptcy. The cuts are painful and will be felt in all corners of England and Wales. However, some members of society are almost certainly going to feel it more than others. I for one sit in nervousness as someone from another Government department starts ‘Vulnerable People Bashing”! The emergency budget will hit me in the pocket more than an abled bodied person will. I have no savings, no tactical buffer of cash to protect me from the men and women of the Treasury. My family and I barely manage to survive on the Government Benefits that we receive. I am unable to work at present and have been on Incapacity Benefit for about 4 years. It’s not that I don’t want to work, it’s just that I can’t ensure that I am fit for work when the Company needs me. In fact going self employed would be the same. I also receive Disability Living Allowance, Housing and Council Tax Credit, Children’s Tax Credit and that is it. According to my local Council, I receive nearly one hundred pounds less than the Government suggests my family and I need to live on. However, the DWP suggest otherwise. Add this to the Council insisting that I pay £20 a week towards my total care package of £36 means I am once again out of pocket.

The argument that everyone who is claiming benefits is a fraud and work shy doesn’t wash with me. I would love to swop places with anyone if it meant I could have my legs functioning properly and with it my dignity. I agree that everyone needs to shoulder some of the responsibilities of the national debt. But when we are subsisting, not living, the danger of the budget and every other cost saving measure makes it a real possibility me and my family are going to be living beneath the poverty line. These policy’s are not going to make our reputation any better in the world, if the most vulnerable people (and there are definitely people in a worse situation than I am in) are harmed by these decisions taken in haste. I want to see real change, in the way Government works, it is time to call “time” on the Nanny State! However, consult with the people who sitting at the pointy end first, please!

Voicemail Hockey Between Local Government/National Government/NHS and a lack of Wanting to take Responsibilty!

Why, oh why do I keep engaging in fruitless telephone calls to either my council, social services or the various NHS departments I have contact with?

I have spent this morning in a seemingly endless round of phone calls aimed at resolving issues. It seems no one has the authority to do anything anymore, and the people who do are incommunicado. I am astounded at the number of departments I was put through to arrange a simple, but important, repair to our council owned property.

Social services are trying my patience. I am stuck in a wheelchair, I have just spent the last 3 three weeks nearly a virtual prisoner in my home due ice. I have a care package that was set up so that I could use taxi’s to get me to any ‘social inclusion activities I need to get too!’ Now my local branch of the SS have said no I can’t do this as this was not agreed to under my care package. I do believe one of the key factors of a Government Audit that relates to inclusion activities for Disabled people like me!!!!!!

There, we are feeling much better now I have got that load off my chest.