Outstanding find by the excellent Sue Jones reveals that a Parliamentary committee has condemned the government for circumventing the law to deprive disabled people of their “right to live independently and to be included in the community”. Please read and share widely.
A Jobseeker who is sanctioned and does not fall into a vulnerable group has no right to hardship until week 3.
Hardship payments have to be repaid unless the person finds a job and keeps it for 6 months.
How is the government fulfilling its legal obligation under human rights to provide food directly during a sanction period, which is equivalent to a detention and a form of punishment?
Alison Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said:
“Local authorities have been given a difficult task, to deliver support on a reduced budget at a time of rising need.
But we are seriously concerned that some authorities will not be providing any access to cash to families to meet their essential needs, and may be offering support in a way that serves to stigmatise those who need it.”
Critics have also said that, as some authorities drafting in food parcel arrangements, voluntarily donated food is given to existing Government welfare arrangements, blurring the line between public giving and taxpayer-funded Government support.
From Wikipedia:
The right to food, and its variations, is a human right protecting the right for people to feed themselves in dignity, implying that sufficient food is available, that people have the means to access it, and that it adequately meets the individual’s dietary needs.
The right to food protects the right of all human beings to be free from hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.[4] The right to food does not imply that governments have an obligation to hand out free food to everyone who wants it, or a right to be fed. However, if people are deprived of access to food for reasons beyond their control, for example, because they are in detention, in times of war or after natural disasters, the right requires the government to provide food directly.[5]
The right to housing is recognised in a number of international human rights instruments. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right to housing as part of the right to an adequate standard of living.[1] It states that:
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control”
Hi!
I just signed the petition “Lord Freud: Make sure night shelters aren’t forced to close their doors to homeless people” on Change.org.
It’s important. Will you sign it too? Here’s the link:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/lord-freud-make-sure-night-shelters-aren-t-forced-to-close-their-doors-to-homeless-people?share_id=bYLtdSueVe&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
Thanks!
mary, i signed it yesterday. eveyone needs to sign also
Reblogged this on Teesside Solidarity Movement.