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> the idea that this could become a weapon against disabled people Possibly you're taking it a bit far there, but at least in England I could see that being th

> the idea that this could become a weapon against disabled people Possibly you're taking it a bit far there, but at least in England I could see that being the case. The lengths they go to to stop people getting benefits are ridiculous. For example, Scotland now has devolved powers for benefits, and are being much more generous: Having a baby? Here's £300. Is it your first? Here's another £300. Twins? Another £300. Then they make sure you can apply for all this online. In England they tried not to have an online presence because, "we don't want to make it too easy for people to apply."

ocharles 8y ago
> In England they tried not to have an online presence because, "we don't want to make it too easy for people to apply." Source?
- philbarr 8y ago
  I'm afraid I can't say since I suspect it would break an NDA. EDIT: Best Start Grant is public info though [0] [0] https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/best-start-grant/ https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/best-start-gra...
  - anigbrowl 8y ago
    If it's important enough that people should be aware of it, it's important enough to break an NDA over, although that might require a technical workaround such as posting under a throwaway account. Since this comment is already attached to your name that's impractical here, but it might be worth keeping in mind for other forums. Someone may object that contracts are sacred. I don't care about contracts that are designed to conceal or perpetuate abusive behavior.
- DanBC 8y ago
  There's undoubtedly a hostile environment for people claiming benefit in England. Here's some discussion from judges: https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilydugan/most-dwp-benefits-cases-which-reach-court-are-based-on-bad https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilydugan/most-dwp-benefits-cases-...
  - ocharles 8y ago
    I'm well aware there's a hostile environment, but if we're going to spread quotes I'd like them to be backed up.

ocharles 8y ago

> In England they tried not to have an online presence because, "we don't want to make it too easy for people to apply." Source?

philbarr 8y ago
I'm afraid I can't say since I suspect it would break an NDA. EDIT: Best Start Grant is public info though [0] [0] https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/best-start-grant/ https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/best-start-gra...
- anigbrowl 8y ago
  If it's important enough that people should be aware of it, it's important enough to break an NDA over, although that might require a technical workaround such as posting under a throwaway account. Since this comment is already attached to your name that's impractical here, but it might be worth keeping in mind for other forums. Someone may object that contracts are sacred. I don't care about contracts that are designed to conceal or perpetuate abusive behavior.
DanBC 8y ago
There's undoubtedly a hostile environment for people claiming benefit in England. Here's some discussion from judges: https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilydugan/most-dwp-benefits-cases-which-reach-court-are-based-on-bad https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilydugan/most-dwp-benefits-cases-...
- ocharles 8y ago
  I'm well aware there's a hostile environment, but if we're going to spread quotes I'd like them to be backed up.