Letter: Blair's project

David Seymour
Wednesday 24 December 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Who are these armies of people claiming benefit not designed for them? (David Aaronovitch, 18 December).

Incapacity benefit, introduced by the last government, is accompanied by a strict and terrifying medical examination (less like a medical, more like being on trial, in my experience.)

To hear some people talk one would think that benefit claimants receive lottery-size fortunes each week. In fact few benefits exceed pounds 3,000 a year and some, including incapacity benefit, are taxed.

Mr Aaronovitch's world of work and good health is miles away from the lives we disabled people live, as I can testify, having journeyed from the former to the latter. All we ask for is a fair deal; the ongoing debate shows that there is little understanding of the world of disability and what it involves.

DAVID SEYMOUR

London SE4

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in