We really are in this together
WVoN spoke to some of the many women who took part in Saturday’s anti-cuts march.
Two thirds of public sector workers are women, so it was no surprise that there were lots on a march protesting government cuts, nor that many had lost their jobs.
Speaking to those on the march, it’s clear that feelings run high.
Adele from Nottingham was made redundant over a year ago after returning from maternity leave. “I want a sustainable economy with public sector investment. We are not saving money, the deficit is growing,” she said.
Lydia Dalton, a social worker from Ealing, West London was redeployed in 2010.
“The disabled people I worked with were left with no service. I am marching to protect the services we have and regain those already lost.
“I don’t think the 99 per cent should pay for the problems caused by the 1 per cent.
“You can see the cuts biting now and they have only implemented the first 20 per cent,” she said.
“I’ve been made redundant from a job I was doing for 28 and a half years, helping people, making sure disabled people get a fair service. It’s a disgrace to say we are British,” said Jane Oliver from Southend on Sea.
“The cuts to services are particularly harming women if you look at cuts to in-work tax credits like childcare credits it really is women who are suffering,” said Sonia Sager of the Battersea Labour Party.
“In terms of the impact on the economy as a whole it’s mainly women who are in part time work,” she said.
“I want my grandchildren to have the same as I had. A good NHS, good schools, things they can do. There is absolutely nothing they can do now. I want jobs for them.
“Mr Cameron has got to listen to his people. We’ve had a fantastic Olympics and we want that to carry on,” said Mrs Cooper, a pensioner from Nuneaton.
Nadia Clarke, a wheelchair user from Halifax, West Yorkshire was marching against cuts to her personal care budget.
“I won’t have any PA’s, I won’t have any care, I won’t be able to come to things like this. It will cut my independence, social skills, everything,” she said.
“They are on about closing our local hospital. The other one is a 20 minute drive away. That is no use for A & E,” said Becca from Bolton.
“I don’t know how my three children are going to pay back their university fees. I’m just glad my youngest left school last year,” said Debbie Salmon, from Sutton.
“I want to support all the people who are losing their jobs. We all need to stand together and fight and make sure we do things that are going to work better in future,” said Jessica who works for the GMB union.
“The cuts have affected everybody across the country and if they haven’t affected them they have affected someone they know,” said Carole Clarkson from Hull.
“The government really are here to punish ordinary people. They are discriminating and demonising the disabled and unemployed,” said Valerie Sissons, from Chessington in Surrey.
“Those who have got jobs are frightened about losing them. [The government] is very much about divide and rule and this is about bringing people together,” she said.
And there was a warning to Labour. “Miliband is not welcome here today,” said Sissons.
“The Labour party needs to get its act together and remember its grass roots voters. Stop trying to pursue government cuts because they will be doing the same thing only maybe not quite as hard. Unless they remember who they are supposed to represent they are going to get beaten again.
“We want a general strike.
“The rest of the country is waking up to this as well. We won’t give up without a fight there’s no way we are going to roll over while the rich get richer and the poor poorer.
“To nick Cameron’s phrase, we really are in this together. There is no way we are going to roll over and take all these cuts when the money is in the system,” she said.
Like millions of others for the last year I have been going through the ATOS medical assessment (See Dispatches programme on Ch4 Britain on the Sick)my benefits were cut by £30 a week whilst I go through this process and even though I’ve proved that I’m being treated for several Chronic medical conditions M.E Heart Disease, Arthritis in my spine, neck, wrists and hands they say I’m fit to work.
I’m now onto my third appeal (Two of which were held without my being able to attend to defend myself and held without any information about me other than my contact details after the lost my questionairre and medical records but didn’t think to tell me)through a tribunal where I am considered guilty until I prove myself innocent even murderers have more rights than I do but from what I hear even if I win this Tribunal I will be sent back round the medical assessment, appeals and tribunal.
This is costing us millions of pounds and is supposed to be saving money, it’s absolutely crazy and to add insult to injury once set into this system you have to apply again for Housing and Council Tax benefits so costs each Council the admin costs to do this. ATOS assessors have been told that if they let people through the system they too will be assessed and could lose their jobs which cost thousands of our pounds to train for. Maybe if we stopped sending arms to other countries we could afford to let those who are obviously disabled claim benefits without this awful ATOS system! I understand that there are those claiming benefits who don’t deserve it but the government is throwing out the baby with bath water, but surely if I can prove I can’t work due to ill health why put me and millions of others on a very expensive merry go round that creates fear and distress to those forced to go through this system.
I also undersstand that next year all benefits will be brought under one ‘Roof’ and will be capped no matter what benefits are claimed across the board.
Needless to say it’s those who are already struggling and particularly families it’s the children and the sick and disabled who will suffer.
I hope the P.M and his government enjoy their Christmas dinner whilst millions will struggle to feed and clothe themselves and their families over this very harsh winter and no doubt they will spend more on one Christmas present for their loved ones than most of us get in a month to live on! I can’t even afford a Turkey leg for Christmas dinner and will struggle to send Christmas cards let alone gifts and they call this Democracy!
Hi Liz, thank you for your comment. As you say, the ATOS system is completely broken and, I would argue, is costing more in financial terms that the problems it was supposed to fix. But the real cost is the impact of the system on people like yourself – the stress, fear and persecution – that goes on and on and on. The only ray of light is the backlash that the system has generated and the protests, the TV programmes and the sheer numbers of people who are making their voices heard. The condems need to realise that every person who is being negatively affected by this system also has a vote. And we all need to use our votes when the next election comes round.