Cotswolds' disabled employees 'left with no income'

12th August 2010

Disabled employees in the Cotswolds are finding that, as a result of the government's fit for work scheme, they are being left with little or no income in spite of being signed off sick by their doctor.

According to Dee Drinan of Disability, Information and Support, too many are unsuccessful in their bids to receive the employment and support allowance (ESA), which was introduced in 2008 to replace income support and incapacity benefit, the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reports.

"The whole system is disgusting," she remarked. "Those doing the assessment do not even look at someone's medical notes."

One person to have been affected thus is Tania Warren of Lechlade who scored 12 points on the ESA test despite having fibromyalgia, which, causing severe muscle pain and fatigue, renders her unable to walk, stand and drive.

Speaking regarding her experiences, she said: "I was made to feel like a liar."

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