The UK government’s rhetoric is clear: a “sick note culture” is holding the country back, and a “broken benefits system” needs to be fixed. But for millions of sick and disabled people, this isn’t about reform—it’s about survival. The government’s policies are not simply an attempt to get people back to work; they are a systematic and relentless assault on the most vulnerable members of society, pushing them to the brink of poverty and despair.
The Weaponization of Language
The narrative of “sick note culture” is a powerful tool, designed to paint disabled people as a drain on the public purse. It suggests that many are simply choosing not to work, rather than facing genuine, insurmountable barriers. This rhetoric ignores the reality: disabled people are often desperate to work but face significant obstacles, including inaccessible workplaces, a lack of reasonable adjustments, and widespread discrimination. This language isn’t just a political strategy; it’s a social one, fueling stigma and public hostility, making life even harder for those who already face immense challenges.
The Reality of Welfare “Reforms”
The government’s actions speak louder than its words. Recent and proposed changes to the benefits system are set to cause devastating harm.
- Universal Credit (UC) Cuts: The freezing and real-terms cutting of the health element of Universal Credit will directly hit the incomes of disabled people. This comes at a time when the “Disability Price Tag”—the extra costs associated with being disabled—is skyrocketing, forcing people to choose between heating their homes and eating.
- PIP and Work Capability Assessments: These assessments are often a source of immense stress and anxiety. They are notorious for being flawed, with many people being wrongly denied support. Now, the government is planning to replace the current Work Capability Assessment (WCA) with a new system that critics fear will be even harsher, potentially leading to more people losing vital support. This system seems designed to find ways to take away aid, not to help people.
- The UN’s Verdict: This is not a partisan issue. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has repeatedly condemned the UK government, finding “grave or systematic violations” of the rights of disabled people. This is a damning indictment from an international body, confirming what many have known for years: the system is not just broken, it’s actively harmful.
The Human Cost
The consequences of these policies are not abstract; they are deeply personal and devastating. They manifest as a constant state of fear and anxiety over the next assessment, the next letter, the next cut. This chronic stress has a profound impact on both mental and physical health, often worsening existing conditions. Charities like the Trussell Trust have highlighted how these cuts are driving a surge in food bank use among disabled households, pushing families into destitution.
The government’s agenda is clear: shrink the welfare state and force people into work, regardless of their health or circumstances. But in doing so, it is failing in its most basic duty—to protect its most vulnerable citizens. It’s time we saw these policies for what they are: a war on the sick and disabled, fought with rhetoric, bureaucracy, and a callous disregard for human life.
Every day, disabled people are being dragged through hell—by governments that slash benefits, by councils that cut care packages, by employers who think “reasonable adjustments” are a nice optional extra. And society? It shrugs. It tells us to “be grateful” for scraps while ministers line their pockets.
If you’ve ever said, “That’s terrible, something should be done,” then do it. Because we’re sick of platitudes. We need action. We need allies who don’t just post a hashtag for clout and then go back to their lattes.
Here’s how you can actually help:
1. Educate Your Bloody Self
Stop assuming you know what disabled people need.
- Learn about the social model of disability—it’s not our bodies that disable us, it’s a world built for everyone else.
- Read our stories. Follow disabled activists. Listen, don’t lecture.
2. Amplify, Don’t Hijack
Want to post about disability rights? Fine. But share OUR words. Credit disabled creators. Stop playing hero because you wrote a thread on Twitter.
3. Fight for Access Like It’s Oxygen (Because It Is)
- Email your council. Complain when ramps are broken, buses are inaccessible, or digital services don’t work with screen readers.
- Push for captions, transcripts, and alt text online. Accessibility isn’t charity—it’s a right.
4. Support the People Doing the Work
Disabled people shouldn’t have to crowdfund care or mobility aids just to survive—but guess what? They do.
- Donate to disability charities and grassroots campaigns.
- DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) – direct action for disability rights
- Scope – fighting inequality and poverty
- Z2K – legal support for benefit claimants
- Inclusion London – campaigning for independent living
- If you can’t give money, give time. Share posts. Volunteer.
5. Get Political or Get Out of the Way
This government is at war with disabled people—through benefit cuts, sanctions, and starvation wages.
- Write to your MP. Find your MP here
- March with us. Sign petitions. Show up at protests.
If you’re quiet, you’re complicit. Full stop.
6. Call Out Ableism
Every. Single. Time.
- Jokes about “scroungers”? Slam them.
- Employers refusing adjustments? Report them.
- Family saying, “They’re just lazy”? Educate them.
Disabled people are dying because the system is designed to kill us slowly. If that doesn’t make you angry enough to act, you’re part of the problem.
Join the fight. Not tomorrow. Now.
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✅ 2. Shareable Call-to-Action Graphic for Social Media
I’ll design a bold, black-and-red graphic that says:
“Disabled people are under attack.
Join the fight. Not tomorrow. Now.”
[Your blog URL + hashtag #ForgottenRights]
(I’ll generate this after your confirmation.)
✅ 3. Short, Punchy Social Media Thread Version (For Twitter/X or Instagram)
THREAD: How to Join the Fight for Disabled People 🧵
1/ Disabled people are being starved, sanctioned & silenced by a system designed to kill us slowly. If that doesn’t make you furious, read on.
2/ If you’ve ever said “That’s terrible, someone should do something”… BE that someone.
Here’s how:
3/ ✅ Educate yourself
Understand the social model of disability: it’s not our bodies, it’s the barriers.
4/ ✅ Amplify, don’t hijack
Share disabled voices. Don’t rewrite our struggles for likes.
5/ ✅ Fight for access like it’s oxygen
Call out broken ramps, inaccessible buses, missing captions.
6/ ✅ Support the people doing the work
Donate or volunteer:
- DPAC: https://dpac.uk.net
- Scope: https://scope.org.uk
7/ ✅ Get political or get out of the way
Write to your MP: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons
Show up at protests. Sign petitions.
8/ Disabled people are dying because of this system. If you’re silent, you’re complicit.
Join the fight. Not tomorrow. Now.
🔗 [Link to your blog post]
