‘Living Through This Labour Government’s Benefits Cuts Is Brutal’

Cutting disability benefits will do nothing but heighten the scapegoating of disabled people once again. Penny Pepper asks how can a Labour Government introduce such a punitive measure?

I never thought I’d say it: Thatcher wasn’t this bad. Back then, I was young, eager, and full of anarcho- socialism. Naive, even. I didn’t pay attention to the small print of policies – which, I realise with hindsight, were horrific. But our fight was different.

It was the era before the Disability Discrimination Act, the Equalities Act, and the larger reach of the independent living movement. When local authorities kept disabled people’s organisations going. Campaigning became activism. The Disabled People’s Direct Action Network blocked roads and buses. Some things did change and there was a brief sense of optimism.

Those classed as ‘severely disabled’ fought hard, and agencies such as the Independent Living Fund were established. It wasn’t easy, but there was a sense of progress, of collaboration, and even respect.

Then came the modern Conservative onslaught. Work capability assessments and the creation of us as ‘frauds’ and ‘scroungers’ in the political culture. We were to blame for austerity.