Results so far suggest that the Conservative Party are set to win the most seats in this general election.
This means that millions of deaf and disabled people wake up this morning with big questions over some of the services many rely on.
Will changes to the Access to Work scheme, which has led to cuts in support at work for deaf BSL users, for example, continue?
Will there be further cuts to Employment and Support Allowance? Will PIP continue to be rolled out in replacement of DLA?
What of the bedroom tax, benefit sanctions and many other changes that have impacted on deaf and disabled people’s lives?
More generally, what will happen to the NHS? Will further cuts mean, for example, that more areas offer just one hearing aid to deaf people, instead of two?
And how will a new Conservative government protect the interests of deaf children in areas that the National Deaf Children’s Society blogged about in the run-up to the election, like welfare, education and audiology?
The concerns written about above are based on the work of the coalition government of the last five years. The question this morning is what cuts will the Conservatives make if they govern in sole power?
The Conservatives made little mention of disability in their manifesto. However, before the election, they pledged to make £12 billion of further welfare cuts if they gained power, but refused to say where these cuts might fall.
A Guardian article several days ago suggested some of these cuts might come in the form of benefit freezes, stricter ‘fit to work’ tests (and tougher limits on eligibility), and increases to the bedroom tax.
It doesn’t take a huge leap of the imagination to conclude that £12 billion of further welfare cuts will at least partially impact upon deaf and disabled people’s lives.
As the final results come through, and we find out whether the Conservatives govern alone or not, deaf and disabled people – and the organisations that represent us – will be looking closely to find out what the new government intend to do.
Twitter reaction:
Feeling handless, trying to understand how & why big part of society would like see deaf, disabled & poor suffer more in next five years.
— Deafinitely Theatre (@DeafinitelyT) May 8, 2015
So it appears that the British public don’t want the NHS, and are happy to see the poor, elderly and disabled treated badly. I’m baffled. — Dave Leach™ (@daveleachuk) May 8, 2015
Don’t get ill; don’t get old; don’t, whatever you do, lose your job or become disabled in any way. It’s each to their own now. #GE2015 — PS (@llewelyn20) May 8, 2015
Now we’ll find out where Tories £12bn of unspecified cuts come from. My guess? Child benefit, maternity pay, disability benefit. #GE2015 — David Maloney (@dtrmcr) May 8, 2015
Remember not to fall ill, or develop a disability, or become unemployed, or be poor, or need a house for the next 5 years guys. #GE2015
— Regular Frankie Fan (@Hannah_Wright95) May 7, 2015
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pennybsl
May 8, 2015
Whatever the result, there is a certain belief that we campaigners this time are in a better position, armed with knowledge and politics since 2013 – to stand firm, hone our “voice” and to show the public those issues.
We CAN maintain the momentum, continue to cluck and peck at the Givernment, they already are aware of us.
Today is the anniversary of V Day, we will build up the gritty qualities that won Britian the war as UK citizens and workers and gave us freedom from tyranny.
Rob
May 8, 2015
so many people are reporting on social media that this is the most depressing election they have ever experienced. This is the most cynical election results I have ever seen in my life and clearly exposes the weakness of our electoral system that does not represent UK fully, as individuals, over UK as a whole. I personally cannot see this “weak” Conservative Government voted in by purely the selfish wealthy English Southeners can survive for too long. It smells wrong while SNP swept through Scotland. Perhaps lessons need to be taken away by Labour and they need to be the “SNP” of England?
Oh Dear
May 8, 2015
DLA for children will be gone.
Cathy
May 8, 2015
The CONS making an outright win is absolutely devastating for British people who lie at the bottom of the heap: elderly, disabled, deaf and low income families. Where the CONS will now make £12b cuts to Welfare is anyone’s guess!!
It is horrific that this party can hit the most vulnerable where it hurts in the pocket, yet big companies like Amazon, Starbucks, Costa Coffee and even FB get away with billions in tax!!! The CONS should be jailed for treason!!!
I truly worry that we are all going to be dealt the roughest deal of our lives and we have no way of escape for the next 5yrs!!!
Finding work and keeping it is going to be a nightmare for deaf people even more so than the disabled as communication is constant every day of your life! So how will any of us work when the CONS think its a brilliant idea to cut ATW or put a cap on the hours!! Absolutely stupid!!!
And will the CONS claw back powers from Brussels? Will they heck!!! So we will still be throwing away £55m a day to the EU!!! That is daylight robbery and a national disgrace when NOBODY agreed to membership of the EU only the common market!!!
Unless we march, campaign and shout from the rooftops the CONS will simply leave us all in the gutter!!!! We are lambs to the slaughter!!!!
Deafnotdaft
May 9, 2015
Labour need to have a really good look at themselves in the mirror, pinpoint their problems and address them effectively if they’re to bounce back.
They lost the election because (a) their leader was ineffective, (b) they faffed about with daft gimmicks like Ed’s Stone and the interview with Russell Brand, and (c) most importantly, they’re no longer a truly left-wing option. Here in Scotland Labour are known as the “Red Tories” – in other words Tories hiding behind a Labour banner.
I agree with pennybsl. Moaning about the election and feeling sorry for ourselves won’t fix these problems. We need to roll our sleeves up and get involved to make a difference.