When we get them, in winter, it's always a tonic. Like coming up for air. Winter is a deep doive. Always a trying time of year; a crucible of sorts. Especially now. While I'm sure the weather will turn once again, we can enjoy it for the day or even hours it lasts. We're coming to the end of the season, as such winter always intensifies. The last gasp before the spring.
It was pleasant earlier. I even took my hat off walking back with my groceries. Oh the luxury! It didn't last though. The rain has returned along with a stiff breeze. I don't like that. On a less pleasant note I received a reply from my MP (the useless John Penrose) regarding why legacy benefit claimants still haven't been given the same extra £20 that Universal Credit claimants are receiving during this time. I will quote it here because, you guessed it, it's full of shit. His response starts by quoting the DWP minister to whom he put the question:
"I am replying as the Minister for Welfare Delivery Since the start of the pandemic, the Government has introduced a raft of temporary emergency measures to help the hardest hit, including the furlough scheme, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, and the temporary £20 per week uplift to the Universal Credit Standard Allowance. The Chancellor has confirmed the Universal Credit uplift until March 2021. It is right that we wait for more clarity on the national economic and social picture before assessing the best way to support low income families moving forward."
I'm sick to death of hearing this "it is right" bullshit. It's a barefaced assumption put forward with no supporting evidence, intended to end the conversation. In this case it's also bullshit: you're giving one section of the community £20 so you agree that money is needed (even if it's actually a pittance). Therefore it stands to reason that the other community, on the same money (just a different benefit) ought to receive the same. But suddenly we need 'clarity'. Also bullshit; we know what the situation is, we know what the finances are. This £20 uplift has been around for a couple of months now. Weasel words, and of course we all know what the best way to support people is: give them the means to live!
This is just excuse making; the Tories don't want to loosen the purse strings. Even though it helps fight the pandemic. They are too stupid and too far gone in their ideology to even see this. I'm not even addressing the issue of this support ending in March, with the implicit assumption that the situation will thus return to normal and so the extra £20 won't be needed (never mind the pittance that comprises our benefits).
"The uplift is just one part of a comprehensive package of support we have put in place to help people through this difficult period."
There is no package. If there is I haven't been made aware of it. Nothing has been sent to me offering a menu of government covid options. Am I alone in that?
"Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support were all increased by 1.7 per cent in April as part of the annual uprating exercise following the Government's announcement to end the benefit freeze. "
That amounts to an extra £2, a tenth of the money I'm referring to. It's also meant to keep in line with inflation and so isn't an uplift or 'bonus' of any kind. Even then that's how it's being portrayed. How kind of them to end the benefits freeze, which they instituted as part of their austerity. The only purpose of which was to keep people down. Now, in the pandemic, how does that help?
"The Secretary of State has announced - as part of the annual review of social security rates - that these benefits would again rise in line with inflation at the start of the next financial year. "
Does he expect gratitude? This is the bare minimum. In fact it's not even that; it's what's required to keep up with the rising tide that is the cost of living under capitalism.
"In addition, we invested nearly £1 billion to increase Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents earlier this year. We are maintaining this support at the same cash level next year. "
The Tory trick of saying a large number in place of an argument. It's fallacious because it doesn't speak to the actual amount needed. That is what's important. Not simply saying "we've spent a lot of numbers".
"I hope the constituent will find this reply helpful."
He does not.
"So I’m pleased to say there’s been a huge amount of (extremely expensive – it has cost £hundreds of billions) taxpayer-funded help already, to get everyone through the pandemic safely."
Except this is a lie. Where is this support? I haven't seen anything. Two whole quid? Really? Ok, I'm not - yet - struggling. But that could change anytime. That's the nature of life on welfare. They think it's a paradise of indolence. Currently I'm expecting to hear from the DWP any day now about my next, imminent, Work Focussed Interview. I have no idea if those are even happening now, but I must assume they are. I have no idea; that's true of every interaction with this system. I cannot just assume my fortnightly payment will appear. It should, but who knows? Especially now.
I found this part quite galling. Not only is it a lie (about 70% of claims for financial support are being refused), but it shows the paucity of Tory ideology to fighting this pandemic. Aside from the mealy mouthed nature of "extremely expensive..." it ignores the fact that tis is, if you like, an investment; you're spending this money not just to keep people alive and housed, but also to fight the virus. If people can't take time off work, can't afford to self isolate and stay at home, they won't. These idiots just do not, and will never, get it.
"I should add that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has already extended an awful lot of schemes to last until next March, which ought to get us well into the time when the vaccine rollout will be starting to protect a big percentage of the most at-risk and vulnerable people, so we will be able to plan for a careful lifting of the covid restrictions over time."
Over time; except that he also says until March (next month). So that's a contradiction there already. What happens after March? We all know the one certainty: covid will still be around. Yes the vaccine is being rolled out, but only in part. Which is to say people are getting one jab, not the full treatment. That may have benefits, but to argue that people are being vaccinated is to play with the truth. Currently about half a million have been fully vaccinated - and that assumes the new variants joining the corona playground the Tories have built out of our lives and streets don't foul things up.
" Once we know more, and there’s a concrete proposal on the table for Parliament to approve, I’d be happy to discuss the rights and wrongs of whatever is being suggested in more detail. Let’s see what Ministers’ suggest!"
That last part was Penrose himself. Let's wait and see, meanwhile you get nothing. Thanks for playing.
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