Letter: Disgraceful record on poor and sick
Seven years ago the banks caused an economic crash so big the Government had to step in. The crash ruined millions of lives. Taxpayers have stumped up to £850 billion to put banks back in business.
With that background, the Tories have conned their way back into government. The question is – who is going to pay for the recklessness? In the Tory world their rich friends can never be seen as scroungers, but the poor are seen as a burden. So it's business as usual for a Tory Government.
George Osborne announces his latest round of savage cuts. He looks to slash another £12 billion and more. The Tories have decided the cuts will be on the backs of the poor, jobless families on housing benefit and workers receiving tax credits.
Oh, and yes George Osborne announces a pay rise that reduces the incomes of millions of low-paid families.
Iain Duncan Smith earlier this month announced changes to the capacity assessments. Under Freedom of Information, the Government admitted one in four who have been denied full sickness benefits have died within two weeks of being ordered to get a job. The wealthy will not pick up the tab – no 50p tax rates, no mansion tax. Mr Cameron is packing the House of Lords with more of his cronies, 45 in all; 800 unelected law makers who are being paid £300 a day for life. What a disgrace from a PM who wants to reduce elected MPs.
Ron Jowett, Shifnal
