What we saw

Richard Graham (Click to enlarge)

Some permanent degenerative medical conditions "do get better," according to one Tory MP.

Richard Graham sits on parliament's work and pensions committee. A BBC journalist challenged him to explain why people with these permanent conditions face reassessment for their 'personal independence payment' (Pip) disability benefits. That was his explanation.

Amalia of the Socialist Party's disabled people and carers group comments. "This reminds me of Theresa May's claim that there are 'complex reasons' people use food banks.

"Graham should know that his government is taking mobility cars away from people who they later cheer on at the Paralympics exactly because Pip isn't working, but punishing, and because you need to prove you are not a liar throughout.

"Lots of money has been lost since abolition of the old 'disability living allowance' benefit, and the Tories are cutting �30 a week from 'employment and support allowance' benefits - about what former work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith was costing us in expenses for his breakfast!

"No wonder the United Nations has found that this government is violating disabled people's human rights."

Watch Richard Graham squirm here

Donate to the Socialist Party

Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.