I feel like they want to 'cull' us...
I know it sounds extreme but with everything that is going on with this new government I do feel like they are wishing to cull us. I'm disabled and a pensioner and I am dreading this winter, but more than that even is my feeling that this government doesn't care about us at all. Quite the opposite. I listened to Keir Starmer's speech and all he wanted to talk about was 'working people', he said that so many times. They want people who work to make money for them and the big bosses IMO and all those who have retired (even though we worked all our lives) and those who are unable to work due to severe disability, are no use to them. I worked out how much they would save if, as Labour's own research suggests, and extra 4000 will die this winter due to withdrawing the winter fuel allowance, and they would save millions in pension payments added up year on year. Now they are talking about cutting welfare payments at the Autumn budget, and this would then apply the same. If they can get rid of us they save a huge amount of money that adds up every year. Plus if there are fewer of us then there is less money needed for social care. Maybe I am being too pessimistic/paranoid but I am feeling expendable, disposable, and that makes me both angry and very apprehensive about the future :-(
Comments
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Hi @SeasideAnne. I know things are worrying right now and seem bleak but we don't know for certain what the government is going to do yet. The decision to cut the winter fuel allowance is obviously a big blow but until we know their decisions for other benefits it's best not to focus on the negative. I understand that's easier said than done and we're all worried, but try not to get too panicked until we know what's happening.
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Dear SeasideAnne, I know how you feel and am also dreading the winter. I was doing really well with not looking at news and trying to think positive, but now we are starting to get dates coming in when things may start happening everything seems suddenly really scary and dark again, especially now they have voted to cut the winter fuel payments for pensioners. It's all so appalling and I realise I am actually terrified.
I have had some horrible personal stuff to deal with which is ongoing and it's all I can do to try and get through each day as it is, but with this on top…. My stress and anxiety is going through the roof again which is making my pain a lot worse which means I have been stuck in bed more. I have a permanent whirlpool stomach and a tight chest and can't sleep. It feels like my head is in a vice all the time. I am 57 so am absolutely terrified they will try and force me into a job which I genuinely can't do. I would if I could as I am so sick of the guilt and shame of being unable to and having to claim some money just to survive. If they make any cuts I won't survive. As you say, it feels like we are not human beings but just expendable and in the way. I spend my life feeling in the way, as it is. Sorry to be so gloomy. I don't want to bring people down but it does get to you after a while and I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
As Rachel says we just have to try and keep calm and put it to the back of our minds until we know for certain what they are planning to do. I know how difficult that is though. The whole thing just doesn't feel right. It's downright cruel.
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ElizaRose, I feel for you, it is all so hard. But as Rachel says, we must try to not focus on negatives. But what to focus on? I write and so am trying to clear my mind of all the worries and write instead. Reading your post makes me thankful that at least I am a pensioner. I couldn't work, like you say, it would kill me, and I remember the stress of waiting for them to try to make me. I hope they leave you alone and you get though the winter OK. Take care.
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Hello SeasideAnne. Thank you, I hope you get through the winter okay too. I know; it helps a little to write how you're feeling, and reading the other posts on here it seems that they (hopefully) couldn't just change everything overnight. Also, it shows we are not alone in feeling this constant dread hanging over us. It is very easy to feel completely isolated. I am trying so hard to think positive but it is tough. I really wish you well. All the best.
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Why do you advise against focusing on the negative? When a person expresses a legitimate concern about their future life online, the equivalent of search bots used by authorities reads what people say. Perhaps this will have an impact on the government's decision. However, the absence of protests on the Internet will mean to the government that they are doing everything right.
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This country has been ruled for almost 1000 years by the descendants of the Norman occupiers, for them any indigenous population is expendable, and disabled people are broken expendable. Tories, Labour, Greens, ... - their masks are not important. They have accumulated enormous wealth over the centuries, and they must share it with the people.
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Your feelings aren't extreme. They're perfectly reasonable. Capitalism requires culling people unable to work (and hence contribute), to function. Once somebody accepts the Labour Party, like the Tories, exist to serve capital, everything they do starts to make sense.
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Culling people? This is hysteria. Because the government are looking at all aspects of government spending including the welfare spending. You’ve taken things into conspiracy territory. Calm down and get a grip please. A lot of people will take what you are speculating and get very alarmed by this rubbish. Wait until the goverment budget is released and then see if there is any concern to any of us receiving benefits.
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I’m also a pensioner with multiple health issues and disabilities. I’m receiving good health care within the constraints of the NHS and also have income worries with the increases with energy cost etc. I’m waiting to see what happens after the budget is released at the end of October before I see what impact it has on my income. I don’t worry about things outside my control until I have to.
I apologise is anyone is offended by my previous post If the Scope need to remove the post I will understand.
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I am very disappointed and disheartened with how we are. Viewed, treated, and how people sitting in offices who have never seen, assessed, or communicated with us can refuse funding, answer complaints, or just ignore.
Since 2021, I just hit refuse brick walls, the latest is a piece of equipment to improve my stand strength at home.
NHS Icb refused as it's classed as therapy equipment.
Just one rejection after another.
I been told that I should use a hoist or transfer boards, but I want to try and get something back. But at a cost of less than £1000, they have refused.physio recommended it, office pen pusher panel refused.
Can't use exercise equipment, gym stated unsafe. Equipment at physio department, can't use.
So my health is going to decline, and I'll probably die young. This country is not what I thought.
3 years disabled, wishing I had died a natural death rather than the indignity, pain and suffering I still face at 46.
I am done fighting for help. It's just shows the morality of those in power, in Thier 2 homes, luxury cars, teams of helpers, spending millions on war and foreign aid.
But failing those who they should protect and help.
Conservative labour all parties are in it for Thier own gain, I don't think. Any of them care.
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Its certainly not hysteria a person has expressed genuine concern and anxiety and telling that person they need to get a grip is lacking in empathy and unessacery.
We all deal with things in different ways because we are all different individuals with unique issues affecting our lives.
I can assure you that many posts I have read on this forum that a lot of members here feel similar and they are frantic with worry having been left hanging in limbo and not knowing what our fete will be.
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That's extremely harsh and uncalled for.
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And you think suggesting to that person the government is 'culling' people will help? I used to get into quite a tizzy about the stuff said in the newspapers and on social media over these issues. It was actually an adviser at the Job Centre that told me to ignore it as its all hyperbolic nonsense and speculation.
"I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened." Mark Twain
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Hello everyone,
We want this discussion to continue, but we’re concerned that things are becoming quite tense and could easily escalate.
Please remember that all discussions on Scope’s online community should remain civil, supportive, and safe. Please also remember that there are people who are incredibly anxious and worried. That can make processing the situation and information more difficult. Many groups can also try to play on these fears and exacerbate them, making things even more difficult. There are ways to reassure and correct this, without straying into being uncivil.
For more information, please read our online community house rules.
We will continue monitoring the conversation, but please do remember there is a human being behind every post. If you were incredibly worried about something, and someone believed you to be mistaken in your thinking, think about how you'd like to have it discussed.
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I did not suggest any such thing.
I find your tone aggressive and therefor I will not respond to you any further.
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Oh dear, I posted this because I was very worried about the apparent attitude of the government towards disabled people and pensioners, because all their attention is on helping working people. I do realise some of us on here work, but I was talking about my concerns as a disabled pensioner. I didn't expect to create a tense debate. No I don't think they will actually cull us, but if they neglect our needs and we suffer because of it IMHO it can in some circumstances amount to the same thing. I am sorry that some people here found this point of view upsetting, or difficult, or derisory, but I was just sharing how I felt.
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Screening of people always takes place according to a variety of criteria. Centuries of discrimination cannot be immediately eradicated by law.
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I'm the same age 57, and I'm dreading the budget and being forced to work, I can't now. I worked part time until last year and had to give it up. With that and uncertainty whats happening to Pip , the roll out of UC being brought forward. I'm in a constant state of fear. Also going through a lot health wise and with other stuff that I don't want to leave the house. I'm getting paranoid as well.
It's just one thing after another. They just pick on the disabled and pensioners..
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stand your ground refuse to cooperate with anything that'll make you iller, get the GP or specialist to write to them, tell your mp they work for you and how you feel etc. Find out which laws,rights and regulators will protect you.
Never just jump through their hoops or play their games without a hell of a fight, your health is the most important thing in the world alongside your family of course.
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Like you, I am getting more and more paranoid and jumpy. I have agoraphobia anyway which is getting worse along with everything else and I am finding I can't just shove it all to the back of my mind anymore. It's a struggle to even get through each hour in one piece, let alone each day. It feels like mental and emotional torture and is so exhausting. I just feel so much guilt about truly being unable to go back to work. These people in charge don't seem to realise that it's a full time job in itself just to manage to get through each day for some of us.
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