Army recruiting, Ashton Under lyne, baby, Brighthouse, DLA, ESA, eugenics, feminism, Food bank, government, Housing, hunger, Jeremy Corbyn, Jobcentre, Northern resisters, Payday loan, PIP, poverty, sanctions, Tax credits, The Labour Party, trade union movement, Uncategorized, Universal credit, womens rights, Workfare, Workprogramme

Freezing cold and sanctioned yet again.

It was a very cold Thursday and my heart really goes out to the homeless and everyone suffering under the tyranical rule of this Tory government. Days are spent trying to keep warm and to get enough money together so that you can eat. It’s a massive struggle, the stress that is piled upon the shoulders of the poorest at times feels like a ton weight, most don’t live they exist.

I had only just arrived at the Jobcentre when a young man that I had previously spoken to stopped me. He had been sanctioned again, and he was understandably, very distressed. He couldn’t understand it as he had done everything right. Unfortunately once you have been sanctioned it becomes easier for the DWP to sanction you again. I say that it’s like being on a treadmill, it never ends. I signposted him to the right places and informed him of his right to appeal. Ashton Under Lyne Jobcentre told him that he had no right to appeal, so he will be appealing.

I think it’s disgusting that they blatantly lie to the claimants like this. But because they are only answerable to themselves they can literally do whatever they want to do. We need to continue fighting to change this. I know that I will.

They even lie about the very basic things. A claimant who had seen us campaigning outside the Jobcentre, who also knows about our campaign spoke to her advisor. She asked them what the group of people standing outside the Jobcentre (meaning us). The advisor said to her that we were waiting for payments! It was clearly the case that we wernt.

Sometimes the severity of the situation gets to me, and this week was one of them. I’ve never seen such a massive gap between the rich and the poor as there is now. It’s heartbreaking and life is certainly becoming very hard now. I was reminded of this today when I visited a place that I hadn’t been to before. The people there were able to make choices. The choice to be able to buy an expensive cup of coffee or an expensive milkshake, and the choice to leave it as well. I know that I can’t afford to do that, and many of my friends and comrades can’t either. It made me realise just how restricted by poverty I am.

I do hope that one day I can help to change things. I feel useless at times, and the winter months serve only to highlight the suffering of others.

 L
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12 thoughts on “Freezing cold and sanctioned yet again.”

  3. You are Loved and Admired Charlotte.
    You are a brave and kind Soul.
    The Souls you support will Never forget you because you touch their lives in their desperate times of need.

    You are their Florence Nightingale.
    x

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    1. awww thank you its hard though especially when I’m asked by family members “why are you so poor?” That again reminds me that myself and millions others cannot make choices or plan for days out etc.We have to keep within our routine so we can survive.

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  4. Charlotte you will be affected by the sheer misery you see generated by the DWP, but your spirit is such that you carry on, knowing that you can make a difference to peoples lives. Do not let the evil overwhelm you. If you need to recharge your batteries then take a time out. The people you help and point in the direction of advice, or even just have the time to listen to someone does make a difference, because we all need to know sometimes that people do care. And you can take strength from us, the ones who may be many many miles away but care too, especially for you.

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  7. Reblogged this on campertess and commented:
    I read your blog weekly & I just want to say that what you are doing is brilliant, the amount of people you are helping just by being there & advising them of their rights. I think you are changing things & I’m sure that the people you talk to are very grateful for what you tell them. The past few months have been the hardest for a long time & it doesn’t look as if anything is going to change for the better anytime soon.

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