UK Advocates, Support the Spartacus Report!

[jace]

Calling all tweeters and facebook folk. There's a big trend going down, and you can help. Just today, tweet and post using the phrase "I support the Spartacus Report" with a #spartacusreport hashtag.

Through Facebook and Twitter we are fighting back. The #spartacusreport hashtag is already trending.

You can help us keep it up there, if like me, you tweet "I support the #spartacusreport http://tinyurl.com/78erjru Press Release http://tinyurl.com/86h82gb"

Or copy and paste messages from others. Don't use the retweet button, it doesn't count towards trending.

On Facebook, post "I support the Spartacus Report http://tinyurl.com/78erjru Press Release http://tinyurl.com/86h82gb (please share)" to your status.

http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-support-spartacus-report.html

Here are the links for the Report and Press Release.

Responsible Reform Report

Press Release

More blogs: Broken of Britain Ekklesia and the list goes on.

Together we can fight back!

The report has already been backed by organisations and disability experts including
Disability Alliance
Mind
Papworth Trust
Scope

 

[currer]

Wow!

That is one good report!

 

[jace]

Who's backing the #spartacusreport ? First up...the doctors:

"The NHS Consultants Association believes that ill thought out reform to the DLA, with reduction of financial support to some of the most vulnerable members of society is not only unjustified, but also a false economy which will result in cost implications for carers and additional use of NHS services and resources."

Clive Peedell, on behalf of NHS Consultants Association

"It is important that in the quest to support employment in everyone, abled or disabled, that we do not underestimate the problems that many people with long term disabilities have in carrying out even simple day to day functions. Insensitive assessment of disability and failure to understand the complexity of their problems might inadvertently result in removal of their benefits, causing more problems in an already vulnerable population."

Clare Gerada, Chair of Royal College of GP's

 

[anniekim]

I'm not on Twitter, but have posted about it on my facebook page.... Thanks for alerting us to it.....Have also e mailed my MP with a link to the report and asked for a response....He is Conservative so not too hopeful....

 

[jace]

Whew! What a day it was yesterday! For a while, the Spartacus Report was the top UK trend on Twitter. It stayed in the top two or three all day. Today, there's a twibbon to add to twitter profiles - see the bottom of this post.

We have John Prescot, Stephen Fry and many more influential people taking up the cause. Things are happening.

The House of Commons jobsworths wanted 270 to distribute the report to MP's!! This was circumvented by social media contacts

Sue Marsh in the Guardian on Sunday http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/08/disabled-people-welfare-reform-sham

And on 5Live Radio (with Victoria Darbyshire and Maria Miller, minister for benefit reform and political spinner extraordinaire)
[video=youtube;dIj7JJOyVWE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=dIj7JJOyVWE&gl=GB[/video]

LINK TO TWIBBON (quite tasteful, and easy to add) http://twibbon.com/join/spartacusreport Adding this to your profile will generate the message "Support #spartacusreport, add a #twibbon now! - http://twb.ly/Ak2Ryu - Create one here - http://twb.ly/f02AU3" automatically on your twitter feed.

Check http://diaryofabenefitscrounger.blogspot.com/ for updates through the day.

If you are sick and disabled wear the twibbon.
If you realise that one day, at any moment, you too could face illness or disability and that our fight is your fight, please wear the twibbon.
If you are concerned at the lack of rigour and openness of our government, please where the twibbon
If you want us to be heard, wear the twibbon.

 

[Kate_UK]

I see on twitter that this is going to be on Newsnight tonight.

 

[Esther12]

Great work. It seems like this did make a real difference to the way the media views this issue.

 

[alex3619]

I have read some of the report, and skimmed most. I have posted support on my facebook wall. Bye, Alex

PS There is no reason why advocates who are not from the UK can't support this. I have friends and relatives in the UK, and this addresses a trend in western governments everywhere. It is a global issue that happens to be unfolding in the UK.

 

[Kate_UK]

Sign Pat's petition before Tuesday http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968

 

[Esther12]

Thanks. Done.

 

[alex3619]

Hi Kate_UK, this petition is listed as closing some days ago (the 11th). Has it been extended? Bye, Alex

 

[Kate_UK]

Alex it says

Closing:
01/11/2012

which I read as 1st November 2012

but the debate is on Tuesday, hence trying to get the numbers up for Tues. The numbers are still going up, so it must still be open.

 

[alex3619]

Hi Kate, doh, you are right, my mistake, brain fog moment. I wonder if you should not be asking for non-UK advocates to sign? Bye, Alex

 

[Snow Leopard]

This is terrible. They claim they are going to save hundreds of millions of pounds per year. Where is that money going to come from? It is going to come from reducing the quality of life of those with disabilities to some of the lowest levels in western countries.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2012/jan/17/disability-welfare

 

[Esther12]

This is terrible. They claim they are going to save hundreds of millions of pounds per year. Where is that money going to come from? It is going to come from reducing the quality of life of those with disabilities to some of the lowest levels in western countries.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2012/jan/17/disability-welfare

No, no, they're doing more to help those who need it most, and improving the quality of life for the rest by improving their ability to engage with and function within society - which unum has shown is very good for physical and mental health.

These cutbacks are going to help those with serious health problems, by promoting more a more positive psychosocial setting for those who have come to think of themselves as incapable of working.

Or something.

They would never say "We've been looking at society, and decided that one of the great injustices we face today, is that those with serious long-term health problems are enjoying access to too many resources. They need to know their place."