Introduction
In 2010, the United Kingdom's Conservative-led coalition government, headed by Prime Minister David Cameron, introduced a program of austerity measures in response to the 2008 global financial crisis. While austerity was presented as a necessary step to balance the nation's books, its impact on Britain's most vulnerable citizens, particularly those with disabilities, has been devastating.
Frances Ryan's book "Crippled" shines a spotlight on the harsh realities faced by the 12 million Britons with disabilities in the wake of these austerity measures. Through a combination of hard-hitting statistics and personal case studies, Ryan reveals how cuts to social benefit payments, punitive penalties for procedural violations, and slashed budgets for local services have created a society where disabled people struggle to find employment, pay for basic necessities, or even leave their homes.
This summary explores the key ideas presented in "Crippled," examining how austerity has forced disabled people into poverty and dependence, the particular challenges faced by disabled women and children, and why it's crucial to change societal attitudes towards disability.
The Devastating Impact of Austerity on Disabled People
A Human Catastrophe
Despite being one of the world's richest countries with a historically pioneering welfare system, the United Kingdom faced a damning assessment from the United Nations in 2017. The UN declared that disabled people in Britain were facing a "human catastrophe." This stark contrast between the country's wealth and the treatment of its disabled citizens raises the question: What went wrong?
The answer lies in the austerity policies implemented by David Cameron's government starting in 2010. Ironically, as Cameron praised the UK as a "trailblazer for disability rights" at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, his government's austerity measures were already beginning to take effect, reversing decades of progress in disability rights.
Disproportionate Cuts
While austerity was officially presented as a necessary response to the 2008 financial crisis, the reality is that the choice to cut back on the welfare budget seems to have been carefully calculated. The impact on disabled people has been severe and disproportionate:
- According to 2013 research by the Centre for Welfare Reform, disabled people faced nine times more cuts than an average British citizen.
- Those with the severest disabilities faced a staggering 19 times more cuts.
- By 2010, £28 billion of cuts had come from the income of people with disabilities.
The Human Cost of Austerity
The book presents numerous case studies that bring home the harsh realities of these cuts. One such example is Jimbob, a 68-year-old resident of Ayrshire, Scotland. Despite working since he was young, Jimbob's multiple disabling health issues, including chronic lung disease and bone disease, have left him unable to work.
In 2013, Jimbob lost his disability benefits. Now, he doesn't have enough money to heat his concrete, two-bedroom apartment. To keep costs down, he effectively lives in a single room to avoid heating the others. He even has to plan trips to the bathroom by turning on the heating in the hallway 15 minutes beforehand. In a desperate attempt to cut heating costs further, he tried sleeping in a tent.
Jimbob's situation is not unique. It exemplifies the reality of what Cameron's cuts have meant for many disabled people across the UK.
The False Narrative of "Scroungers"
To justify the harsh cuts to the welfare system, the government began depicting benefit recipients as "scroungers" exploiting a generous system. They maintained that the cuts targeted only the "bogus" claimants, as minister Esther McVey called them. However, this narrative was far from the truth.
The Reality of Benefit Fraud
The estimated fraud level in claims for the Disability Living Allowance was just 0.5 percent. Despite this, the government's new welfare benefit, the Personal Independence Payment, required some three million people claiming disability benefits to reapply. By December 2017, almost half of them had lost at least part of their payments, not due to fraud, but because the new requirements were extremely harsh.
The Story of Bessie
The case of 51-year-old Bessie illustrates the impact of these changes. Bessie's multiple disabilities prevent her from working. Even when she received disability benefits, it was a desperate struggle to afford food, electricity, and clothes. Since losing her benefits altogether in 2017, her situation has become impossible. She can't afford basic appliances like an oven, a microwave, or a freezer, and her disabilities prevent her from eating the solid foods she receives from a food bank.
Bessie isn't trying to game the system. In fact, she's attempting to complete a law degree from the Open University and start a business. But under these circumstances, that's nearly impossible.
The Scale of Poverty
Bessie's story is far from unique. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, there were four million disabled adults in the United Kingdom living below the poverty line in 2018. This staggering number reveals the true scale of the problem.
The Higher Cost of Living with Disability
Adding insult to injury, disabled people like Bessie face a higher cost of living than non-disabled individuals. The charity Scope calculated in 2018 that disabled people, on average, need to spend £570 more each month. This additional expense makes the loss of benefits even more devastating.
Employment Challenges for Disabled People
One of the most significant obstacles that disabled people face is finding and maintaining employment. This challenge is exacerbated by two contradictory stereotypes: on one hand, disabled people are seen as "scroungers" taking money without working for it, while on the other hand, they're viewed as pitiable, useless, and dependent.
Punitive Measures and Misapplied Sanctions
The British government has been eager to apply sanctions to benefit claimants, with particularly tough measures introduced in December 2012. If claimants do anything wrong – such as missing an appointment at the job center – they can lose benefits for up to three years. However, these sanctions are frequently misapplied. For instance, one man with epilepsy lost his benefits after missing a meeting because he had multiple seizures and was in the hospital.
The Notorious "Fit-for-Work" Tests
The government also introduced notorious "fit-for-work" tests. As a result of these tests, huge numbers of disabled people were erroneously declared able to work. Christina, for example, was declared able to work despite her numerous health difficulties, which left her unable even to make dinner without experiencing severe pain. Her assessor didn't even consult her doctor.
These assessments were so often wrong that 70 percent of disabled people declared able to work had the decision overturned when they appealed. Even more alarming, a 2015 University of Liverpool study linked these tests to 590 suicides in England.
Workplace Challenges
For disabled people who can work, the challenges don't end with finding employment. According to a 2017 Scope study:
- Around a third of disabled people are paid below the national living wage.
- Half of disabled people have experienced workplace bullying or harassment because of their disability.
Many disabled people end up with jobs that have irregular and awkward hours, and often face workplaces that don't understand their conditions. Pearl's story illustrates this problem. One employer made her carry heavy equipment and walk long distances – tasks she simply couldn't do – which led to severe injury. She was later fired, her second firing in nine months resulting from discrimination against her disability.
The irony is acute: more and more disabled people have been declared "fit for work" – often highly inappropriately. But the conditions greeting those who do make it to the workplace are frequently unmanageable too. The system seems to penalize disabled people at every turn.
Loss of Independence: Cuts to Wheelchair Provision and Social Care Services
Independence is a fundamental aspect of human dignity, often defined by the ability to go where you want, when you want. For many disabled people in the UK, this basic freedom has been severely compromised due to cuts in essential services.
The Wheelchair Crisis
The case of 53-year-old Philomena illustrates this problem starkly. Philomena, who has multiple chronic illnesses, is unable to walk unaided. The exertion of going out can cause her days of pain, and she sometimes goes months without leaving the house. A wheelchair would make all the difference, providing the freedom she desperately needs. However, when she asked for one, the National Health Service (NHS) denied her request, citing lack of funds and suggesting she buy her own. With wheelchairs costing upward of £2,000 and Philomena unable to work since the 1990s, this suggestion was entirely unrealistic.
This situation is not unique to Philomena. The NHS, facing its own austerity-related funding problems, is providing wheelchairs less frequently than needed. This denial of essential mobility aids effectively imprisons many disabled people in their homes, robbing them of their independence.
The Decline of Social Care
The provision of social care – personal support for people who need it – has also seen a dramatic decline under austerity. Adult social care cuts have totaled almost £6 billion since 2010. According to 2015 research by Scope, eight out of ten disabled people don't receive enough social care hours. This shortfall leads to people going without showers or meals, or sleeping in their clothes.
The closure of the government-funded Independent Living Fund in 2014, a key provider of personal care, further exacerbated this problem.
Forced Institutionalization
The lack of adequate social care has led to an increase in people forced to move into care homes. Pete's story is a poignant example. At just 30 years old, Pete had to move into a care home when he no longer received enough hours of daily support at home. He's the only young person there – although across the whole of England, there are 3,300 working-age disabled people living in elderly care homes.
This trend recalls the historical treatment of disabled people, who used to be "warehoused" in out-of-town institutions. It represents a significant regression in social policy, actively preventing disabled people from achieving the independence they deserve and need.
The Housing Crisis and Its Impact on Disabled People
Home is supposed to be a place of rest and comfort. For disabled people in the UK, however, finding and maintaining suitable housing has become an increasingly difficult challenge. An unsuitable home can exacerbate existing conditions or even create entirely new problems for disabled individuals.
Chronic Shortage of Accessible Housing
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has highlighted a "chronic shortage" of suitable homes for disabled people in Britain. The statistics are stark: 93 percent of all housing in England is inaccessible to disabled people. This shortage forces many disabled individuals into housing that's entirely inappropriate for their needs.
Robert's Story: The Consequences of Unsuitable Housing
The case of Robert, a 34-year-old former interior designer and gym enthusiast, illustrates the severe consequences of this housing crisis. Robert suffers from a degenerative neurological disease that has left him almost fully paralyzed. The attic apartment in Brighton assigned to him by local authorities has no elevator access. To move around his apartment or leave for hospital check-ups, Robert must be dragged by an assistant.
This daily dragging has caused irreparable damage to Robert's health. In 2017, he was turned down from a rehabilitation program because the NHS said there was no point, given the daily strain the dragging puts on his body. Robert's story is a stark example of how unsuitable housing can directly worsen a disabled person's condition and quality of life.
The Broader Housing Crisis
The situation for disabled people is part of Britain's larger housing crisis. The dwindling number of new housing provided by local authorities for low-income families particularly affects disabled people. Private rental contracts are harder to obtain, grant fewer rights, and rarely allow for accessibility modifications to be made.
As a result, many disabled people find themselves in temporary accommodation, such as hostels or shared houses, which are seldom well-suited to their needs. This instability further hinders their ability to gain independence and manage their conditions effectively.
Financial Strain and Homelessness
The housing crisis, combined with benefit cuts, makes it increasingly difficult for disabled people to afford rent. This financial strain has led to an alarming increase in homelessness among disabled individuals. Since 2010, homelessness has increased by around 75 percent for those with mental or physical health problems. The charity Good4you estimates that 50 percent of London's homeless population is disabled.
These statistics paint a grim picture of the housing situation for disabled people in the UK. The lack of accessible, affordable, and suitable housing is not just an inconvenience – it's a serious threat to the health, independence, and dignity of disabled individuals.
The Particular Challenges Faced by Disabled Women
While austerity has had a devastating impact on all disabled people, disabled women face a unique set of challenges that compound their difficulties. The intersection of disability and gender discrimination creates additional barriers and hardships for this group.
Financial Impact on Disabled Single Mothers
Disabled single mothers have been hit particularly hard by benefit cuts. According to the UK Women's Budget Group, by 2021, they will have lost over a quarter of their yearly income to cuts – up to £7,000 per year. These substantial losses can trap women in a vicious cycle of poverty and dependence.
The Case of Jessica: A Vicious Cycle
The story of "Jessica" (a pseudonym) illustrates this cycle. Jessica is a young mother of two who has memory problems. Her issues meant that she struggled to care for her children, yet she was not considered sufficiently disabled to qualify for state support. As a result, her children were labeled "at risk," and she was accused of neglect. Eventually, her children were forcibly removed from the home.
This traumatic event further exacerbated Jessica's own problems: without her children, she has become severely depressed. Jessica's situation demonstrates how inadequate support can create a downward spiral, where the lack of assistance leads to worsening conditions and even more severe consequences.
Domestic Violence and Lack of Support
Many disabled women experience domestic violence, and they faced a glaring lack of support even before austerity was introduced. The case of Bethany, who is deaf, highlights this issue. In 2008, Bethany tried to leave her controlling and verbally abusive husband. However, neither local government nor local refuges would help her, citing her disability – they didn't have any British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters, and Bethany struggles to write well because BSL is her main language.
This lack of accessibility in domestic violence services is widespread. A 2018 BBC investigation found that only one in ten domestic violence refuges is accessible for the physically disabled. Many refuges lack space anyway, turning away up to 60 percent of referred women.
Limited Options Leading to Risky Situations
Without adequate government support, some disabled women find their options severely limited, sometimes leading to risky situations. The case of "Alice" (another pseudonym), a 24-year-old woman with bipolar II disorder, illustrates this point. Alice has resorted to sex work as her only source of income. She can't get out-of-work sickness benefit because she's technically still registered as a student, even though she had to quit her course because of her disability.
Alice's story is a stark example of how the system's inflexibility and lack of support can push disabled women into vulnerable and potentially dangerous situations.
These cases demonstrate that disabled women often face a double disadvantage, dealing with both disability discrimination and gender-based inequalities. The austerity measures have exacerbated these issues, leaving many disabled women without the support they need to live safe, independent lives.
The Impact on Disabled Children and Their Families
While progress has been made in recent decades to integrate disabled children into mainstream society, the austerity measures have severely undermined these efforts. Disabled children are increasingly being denied the life chances their non-disabled peers enjoy, and their families are struggling under the weight of inadequate support and financial strain.
Education Challenges
The number of disabled children attending specialist schools is on the rise, a trend criticized in the UN's damning 2017 report. This shift represents a step backward from the goal of inclusive education. Moreover, children with special educational needs face significant obstacles within the education system:
- They are up to six times more likely to be excluded from school.
- They make up almost half of those permanently expelled.
Louis's Story: Early Exclusion
The case of Louis illustrates the severity of this issue. At just six years old, Louis became the youngest person in his borough to be expelled from school. Louis is autistic and has sensory processing disorder and dyspraxia, a disorder causing difficulties in coordinating movements. However, his first primary school had no specialist staff to help him.
After a period at home, the local council placed Louis in a special independent school – but one for children with emotional and behavioral problems, which Louis doesn't have. This misplacement was also unsuccessful, and now Louis is back at home, receiving just two hours a day with a private tutor. His mother, Joanna, had to quit her job to look after him.
Louis's story highlights how the lack of appropriate support in mainstream schools can lead to a cycle of exclusion and isolation for disabled children.
Financial Strain on Families
Austerity has been particularly devastating for families with children – disabled or otherwise. The amount of state support people with children receive hasn't increased since 2012. According to the UK think tank Resolution Foundation, by April 2019, child benefit for a second child was set to be worth less than it was in 1979 when the benefit was fully introduced.
These changes have a particularly devastating effect on families raising a disabled child:
- Families with a disabled child need to spend an average of 43 percent more than families with a non-disabled child.
- Parents are often forced to work less or not at all to provide care.
- A third of disabled children were found to be living below the poverty line, according to 2018 Joseph Rowntree Foundation research.
- By 2021, households with a disabled child will lose, on average, £3,300 yearly in tax and benefit changes.
These statistics paint a grim picture of the financial challenges faced by families with disabled children. The increased costs associated with raising a disabled child, combined with reduced benefits and the potential loss of parental income, create a perfect storm of financial hardship.
Long-Term Consequences
The impact of these challenges extends far beyond childhood. By denying disabled children the support they need in their formative years, society is potentially limiting their future opportunities and independence. This not only affects the individuals and their families but also represents a loss to society as a whole, which misses out on the full participation and contribution of these individuals.
The treatment of disabled children under austerity raises serious questions about the progress made in disability rights and inclusion over the past few decades. It suggests that rather than moving forward, the UK may be regressing in its approach to supporting disabled children and their families.
The Erosion of Society's Humanity
The implementation of austerity measures in the UK reveals a disturbing shift in societal values and priorities. By 2021-22, social welfare will have been cut by £35 billion per year. Simultaneously, the Treasury will be saving £47 billion due to tax cuts. This juxtaposition clearly demonstrates that the benefit cuts were a matter of choice rather than necessity.
Rising Hate Crimes
Perhaps even more alarming than the cuts themselves is the apparent public acceptance of them. Recent years have seen an increase in hate crimes against disabled people, reflecting a disturbing trend in societal attitudes. The problem isn't just that society isn't providing for disabled people; it's that many people don't seem to mind this happening.
This shift in public opinion can be partly attributed to the government's narrative of "scroungers" and "benefit cheats," which has fostered an environment of suspicion and resentment towards benefit claimants, including disabled people.
Signs of Change
However, there are indications that attitudes may be changing. Austerity is no longer as popular a policy as it once was. In 2018, then-Prime Minister Theresa May told the Conservative Party conference that "Austerity is over," although in reality, more cuts were still planned for the coming years.
The British social attitudes survey of 2017 found that support for spending money on disability benefits has risen – up to 67 percent from a low of 53 percent in 2010. Fewer people now believe that benefit claimants are dishonest. These shifts suggest that the public may be becoming more aware of the harsh realities faced by disabled people under austerity.
The Urgency for Change
While it's shocking to realize that the maltreatment of disabled people in recent years has been a matter of choice, this realization also means that the trend can be reversed. However, time is of the essence. Britain faces numerous crises in the years ahead:
- A decline in affordable housing
- Decreasing living standards
- The uncertain impact of Brexit
- The gradual introduction of Universal Credit, a new benefits system whose roll-out has so far been disastrous
All of these crises stand to have a disproportionately harsh effect on those who need the most support, including disabled people.
A Reflection of Society's Humanity
The way society treats disabled people can be seen as an indicator of its overall level of humanity. What does it say about us if we tolerate a system where disabled people can't afford to feed themselves, or where children with special needs are kicked out of school at the age of six?
These questions force us to confront uncomfortable truths about our society's values and priorities. They challenge us to reconsider what kind of society we want to live in and what measures we're willing to take to support our most vulnerable citizens.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
Frances Ryan's "Crippled" presents a damning indictment of the UK's austerity policies and their impact on disabled people. Through a combination of personal stories and hard data, the book reveals how these measures have systematically denied support to those who need it most, pushing many disabled people into poverty, isolation, and despair.
The book makes it clear that the inhumane treatment of disabled people in Britain since 2010 has been a calculated and deliberate choice. This realization is perhaps the most shocking aspect of all – that a modern, wealthy society would choose to target its most vulnerable members in the name of economic recovery.
However, the book also offers a glimmer of hope. By exposing these issues and sharing the stories of those affected, Ryan calls for a change in both policy and public attitude. She challenges readers to recognize the humanity in disabled people and to demand a society that supports and values all its members.
The treatment of disabled people serves as a litmus test for society's compassion and fairness. As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves: What kind of society do we want to be? One that abandons its most vulnerable citizens, or one that supports and empowers them?
"Crippled" is not just a critique of past policies; it's a call to action for a more inclusive and compassionate future. It urges us to challenge the narratives that have been used to justify austerity, to recognize the true cost of these policies in human terms, and to work towards a society where all people, regardless of ability, can live with dignity and independence.
The book leaves us with a clear message: change is possible, but it requires action. It's up to all of us to champion state support for disabled people, to challenge discriminatory attitudes, and to build a society that truly values and includes all its members. The way we treat our most vulnerable citizens reflects on us all – it's time to ensure that reflection is one we can be proud of.