The Daily Telegraph: ‘Millions are claiming benefits without ever having to look for work, helping to push the tax burden to hit its highest point since the Second World War….’
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As mental health professionals, we write to you today with deep concern regarding the representation of benefit claimants in The Telegraph in recent weeks. It is troubling to observe the return of a divisive narrative last seen at the height of austerity politics, which is likely to lead to an increase in hate crimes and have a profound impact on psychological well-being and societal cohesion.
We would like to express our distress regarding the recent inclusion of the ‘benefit calculator’ in your publication on June 1st, 2023. Providing readers with a tool to calculate the supposed cost of benefit claimants on them personally establishes an unsettling premise. It creates a perception that an outgroup, represented by benefit claimants, is taking something away from readers on an individual level. This framing fosters a sense of personal threat, undermines empathy, and fuels societal divisions. Encouraging a narrative that emphasizes personal costs over understanding how a shared safety net supports all of us, whatever our political leanings, hinders the collective well-being of our society.
To illustrate the gravity of this matter, let us consider a hypothetical scenario. Imagine if we were to create a calculator that allowed individuals to determine the cost of cancer patients on them personally, based on factors like chemotherapy usage. Such a tool would be highly unethical and insensitive, as it reduces the value of a person’s life to a financial burden. In a compassionate society, we recognize the importance of supporting those facing health challenges, rather than calculating personal costs. Similarly, calculating the supposed cost of benefit claimants undermines empathy, disregards the complexities of their circumstances, and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
Moreover, the negative stereotypes perpetuated by recent portrayals have potentially dire consequences for both the psychological well-being of benefit claimants and societal harmony. The insinuation that benefit claimants are ‘lazy’ or ‘undeserving,’ reminiscent of tropes seen in TV shows like ‘Benefits Street,’ oversimplifies and misrepresents the realities of their lives. This narrow portrayal devalues individuals who rely on social assistance, disregarding the complexities of their circumstances. It is vital to recognize that many people on benefits are hardworking individuals whose income is not sufficient to cover basic costs; 41% of people on Universal Credit are employed. . Others are actively seeking employment opportunities but facing challenging circumstances, while some are too ill to work at present. Dismissing their experiences and perpetuating harmful stereotypes deepens societal divisions and increases the likelihood of hate crimes, as numerous studies have shown the correlation between media reporting and such incidents.
The reality of being on benefits is far from the mischaracterized image portrayed in recent reporting. Many individuals face immense challenges, including the constant threat of sanctions, inadequate financial support, and the daily struggle to meet their basic needs. The experience of relying on benefits is often one filled with uncertainty, shame, stress, and persecution. In a recent survey, 89% said the benefits system had aggravated their pre-existing conditions, 61% said the way the system worked had caused them to have suicidal thoughts and 13% said they had attempted suicide as a result of interacting with the DWP. The idea that being on benefits is an easy experience is demonstrably wrong, with contact with the benefits system an extremely common trigger to breakdown, or relapse, in our clinics.
Indeed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, conducted an extensive investigation into the impact of the UK’s welfare system and described it as “punitive, mean-spirited, and often callous.” He highlighted how the system inflicts unnecessary hardship and suffering on vulnerable individuals and fails to provide an adequate social safety net. Mr. Alston’s report shed light on the cruel realities faced by those reliant on benefits, exposing the inadequacies and flaws in the system that exacerbate the challenges they already face.
We are all claimants, whether it’s receiving child benefit or a pension, and we all contribute through paying taxes. In fact, the poorest individuals often bear a disproportionate burden, facing challenges such as pre-payment meters, constant debt, and an inability to bulk buy essential items. It is crucial to acknowledge that billions are lost through tax evasion, offshoring, and government contracts awarded to donors or companies with vested interests. Significant amounts are spent on fighting benefit claims and funding private companies for assessments. The incidence of fraud and error in the benefit system is remarkably low, at only 0.2%. It is important to note that the majority of these errors actually stem from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) itself. When compared to the magnitude of tax evasion, this figure pales in comparison. Despite this, media reports tend to single out and scapegoat benefit claimants, leading to them becoming the target of anger and prejudice, which they internalize.
We see the dreadful consequences of this on mind and body in our work daily, with a lowered position in society demonstrably effecting the body’s allostatic (or stress) load and having a deleterious effect on mental health. The level of shaming in the public sphere is now so bad that we as clinicians sometimes have to beg people in desperate need to apply for benefits so fearful are they of being seen as a burden. This shame erodes self-confidence and self-worth regardless of whether claimants have done anything wrong. Shame is like that, impervious to the realities of us as people.
We implore you to reconsider the tone and content of your coverage, using your platform to promote nuanced understanding, empathy, and responsible reporting before the new wave of division your ‘benefits calculator’ article epitomises takes hold. By challenging stereotypes, fostering compassion, and portraying the diverse realities of benefit claimants, we can contribute to a society that values the well-being and dignity of all its members.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Stephen Matthew Carty MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP Medical Adviser Black Triangle Campaign
Gail Ward, Hand2Mouth Project