How do Britain’s human rights abuses fit in with Theresa May’s continual bumf about her government “working for everyone”? The recent UN report on Britain’s systemic violation of the human rights of disabled people (Report, 8 November) damned the UK as the first country in the world to be found guilty of the deliberate human rights abuse of disabled people. That the British state could use welfare reform simply with the intent to force disabled people off benefits and as a way of motivating them into employment is a sad indictment of a Tory party not just out of touch with reality, but one out of step with the rest of the world.
This strategy would still be abhorrent if it actually worked. But it is simply a strategy of sink or swim – and as a consequence disabled people have died. If this report had been about France, Germany or any other EU country, there would have arguably been much moral bleating from the corridors of Westminster. Instead, we simply get plans for more of the same.
Paul Dodenhoff
Leyland, Lancashire
• Much has been said recently about the government’s commitment to work, health and disability, and we look forward to contributing to the consultation on this issue. A timely review from the all-party parliamentary group for MS published this week identifies the obstacles people with MS face with staying in, or getting into, work. Worryingly, many of these obstacles are preventable, involving workplace cultures and lack of access to employment support services. The review finds too many people with MS are forced to leave work earlier than they would choose to.
We know that many people with MS cannot work. But for those who can, simple, straightforward changes from employers, such as reasonable adjustments, can make a huge impact. And there are areas for improvement in government policies and support schemes such as the Work and Health Programme and Access to Work. More than 100,000 people live with MS in the UK and symptoms typically start appearing when people are in their twenties and thirties – at a critical point in their working lives. With the right support more people with MS, who are able to work, can remain in employment for longer. And those who can no longer work must be able to rely on welfare support without the fear of having it taken away.
Michelle Mitchell
Chief executive, MS Society
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