Subliminal messages perpetuate the scroungers myth

Phrases such as “rewarding hard work” and “hard working families”  have been done to death on the #GE2015 campaign trail. There is no doubt that work can be good for us. It can enhance our wellbeing; it helps us provide for ourselves and our families.  Yet for far too many, work is not a route out of abject poverty. For people with disabilities and for many thousands of unpaid carers, getting a job can be a long held dream which is prevented from coming true by structural, societal and service delivery barriers.

Paid work is not the only way in which people play their part in our economy and in our communities

Despite the challenges faced by these groups, most political parties use (sometimes unintentionally, sometimes not) language which stigmatises them as benefit claimants who are looking for “a free ride”.  This tells us that party policy is a canyon away from the real make up of our society. And often, policies being announced are based not on evidence or fact, but on media scare stories and populous opinion. Contrary to this dodgy narrative about work-shy benefit claimants, many are, in fact, “hard working families” in low paid and insecure work who rely on benefits to make up at least part of the gap in what they need to cover living costs. There is no “good guy/bad guy” in the real world, despite what our political masters would have us think. And paid work is not the only way in which people play their part in our economy and in our communities. For children with multiple and complicated disabilities, their contribution is defined by being part of a family - by being thriving and valued members of their communities. For many, that will mean the State has to provide an income to help them maintain that contribution.  Yet, some of the main parties are queueing up to cap these already inadequate benefits and boast about “tough love” through sanctions and conditionality.  Recent scare stories about potential cuts to Carers Allowance show just how out of touch politicians can be. Our society is changing and policy is playing catch up. This is illustrated by the fact that disability and caring have largely been neglected within the General Election campaign - with the exception of Disability Agenda Scotland who gallantly but briefly captured the news by highlighting the million plus votes of disabled people and their families. We are so very far away from a new dialogue and policy approaches which empower and lift people, instead of making them feel worthless. A whole section of our electorate are being side-lined by the focus on “hard working families”. This is why charities have been vocal about sanctions on benefit claimants and why the Poverty Alliance’s “Stick your Labels” campaign is so important (watch out for the re-launch soon). It's why SCVO will not be silenced by the UK Lobbying Act. It’s too late for this round of manifestos and policy sound bites.  But as we approach 2016, the third sector will continue to speak out, loud and proud, about the kind of society and economy we want to see.  Our vision is a country where everyone matters – and once political leaders of all colours get that, perhaps more people will engage with this and future elections.