Police clash with protestors over ICB proposals

Protests against changes to incapacity benefit stepped up a gear yesterday when police clashed with disabled activists in Westminster. What started as a small-scale demonstration against the proposed 'MoT-style' developed momentum as dozens of activists chained themselves to the gates of Parliament. Holding placards reading 'Alastair Darling is spineless; they're all spineless' and 'New Government, Same Shit', the protestors handcuffed themselves to iron gates at the north entrance to Parliament - effectively blocking vehicular access to the premises. "Having a disability in this inaccessible world is already hard work," said Kate Adams, from the organisation Incapacity Action, "we cannot let it become harder." "This is not just about disabled people; these cuts have implications for the whole of the welfare state. We've lost faith in our government."

Testing times: Police attempt to remove protestors

Police presence was stepped up when protestors refused to move from the gates. More than 40 officers arrived in riot vans to clear the gates, cutting through protestors' handcuffs before removing the activists into a small iron pen hastily constructed from crowd-control barriers.

Police sources confirmed that two arrests had been made: a male in his forties and a female in her late twenties, both of whom had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The protest comes less than a fortnight after Mr Darling announced his plan to reduce the number of people claiming incapacity benefit by imposing a three-year maximum time scale on payouts. After this time, claimants will have to undertake a medical to assess whether their condition has improved and whether they are therefore able to work. Those able to work would then be shifted onto the lower-paid Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).

The plans were slammed at the time by disability organisations, charities and back-bench MPs wary of a repeat of the 1997 welfare reforms. Sheila Blair, Acting Chairperson of the British Council of Disabled People said: "It is a scandal, another cost-cutting exercise and a further attack on the most vulnerable people in society."

The protest was supported by the Green Party's Disability Spokesperson Simone Aspis who said: "There is no evidence that disabled people are likely to defraud the benefits system, so why should we have to be re-tested every three years?

"This government needs to do more to ensure that disabled people can find work by outlawing all forms of disability discrimination and legislating for our rights to have the same opportunities as non-disabled people."

David Felton 17.07.2001

What do you think of the changes? Have your say on our Incapacity Benefits message board.

Search for other articles like this Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.youreable.com

About us Our partners Terms & conditions Jobs at Youreable designed by