When a Government...

[BillyStubbsTears]

Goodness. Is it that time already?

[SydneyRover]

''Rishi Sunak will today claim Britain is suffering from a “sicknote culture”, as he warns there is a risk of “over-medicalising” normal worries by diagnosing them as mental health conditions.

In a speech on how to reduce people being signed off sick from work, the prime minister will say the government is planning to trial getting “work and health professionals” to issue fit notes, shifting away from GPs carrying out this role.

Sunak will say he is concerned about the increase in long-term sickness since the pandemic, largely driven by mental health conditions with 2.8 million people now “economically inactive”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-to-cite-britains-sicknote-culture-in-bid-to-overhaul-fit-note-system

Oh the irony, when for 14 + years tory governments have only ever been economically active in a destructive sense.

[drfchound]

Blame culture eh:

No fleas on those fellows.

[Donnywolf]

I hope that's Chase as it doesn't look like Hound nor me except on a bag day maybe.

[BillyStubbsTears]

''Rishi Sunak will today claim Britain is suffering from a “sicknote culture”, as he warns there is a risk of “over-medicalising” normal worries by diagnosing them as mental health conditions.

In a speech on how to reduce people being signed off sick from work, the prime minister will say the government is planning to trial getting “work and health professionals” to issue fit notes, shifting away from GPs carrying out this role.

Sunak will say he is concerned about the increase in long-term sickness since the pandemic, largely driven by mental health conditions with 2.8 million people now “economically inactive”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-to-cite-britains-sicknote-culture-in-bid-to-overhaul-fit-note-system

Oh the irony, when for 14 + years tory governments have only ever been economically active in a destructive sense.

I had reasonably high hopes for Sunak to be a decent, competent politician.

He's actually as big a Kitson as any of the worst of them, playing up to the prejudices of the few Kitsons who might still vote for them.

[Colin C No.3]

''Rishi Sunak will today claim Britain is suffering from a “sicknote culture”, as he warns there is a risk of “over-medicalising” normal worries by diagnosing them as mental health conditions.

In a speech on how to reduce people being signed off sick from work, the prime minister will say the government is planning to trial getting “work and health professionals” to issue fit notes, shifting away from GPs carrying out this role.

Sunak will say he is concerned about the increase in long-term sickness since the pandemic, largely driven by mental health conditions with 2.8 million people now “economically inactive”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-to-cite-britains-sicknote-culture-in-bid-to-overhaul-fit-note-system

Oh the irony, when for 14 + years tory governments have only ever been economically active in a destructive sense.

I had reasonably high hopes for Sunak to be a decent, competent politician.

He's actually as big a Kitson as any of the worst of them, playing up to the prejudices of the few Kitsons who might still vote for them.

He’s Tory. If you had ‘high hopes’ for him (another non-elected Prime Minister) you have your finger on the wrong pulse.

[Ldr]

You want to point out when we’ve ever had an elected prime minister Colin? We elect MPs nothing more

[danumdon]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

[Sprotyrover]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

My Guess is,Not a lot!

[Iberian Red]

So it seem

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

The forum has its very own Russel Grant.

[BillyStubbsTears]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

[ravenrover]

Correct me if I'm wrong but as per the ministerial code shouldn't Rich-ie have announced this in Parliament rather than in a speech?

[BillyStubbsTears]

''Rishi Sunak will today claim Britain is suffering from a “sicknote culture”, as he warns there is a risk of “over-medicalising” normal worries by diagnosing them as mental health conditions.

In a speech on how to reduce people being signed off sick from work, the prime minister will say the government is planning to trial getting “work and health professionals” to issue fit notes, shifting away from GPs carrying out this role.

Sunak will say he is concerned about the increase in long-term sickness since the pandemic, largely driven by mental health conditions with 2.8 million people now “economically inactive”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-to-cite-britains-sicknote-culture-in-bid-to-overhaul-fit-note-system

Oh the irony, when for 14 + years tory governments have only ever been economically active in a destructive sense.

I had reasonably high hopes for Sunak to be a decent, competent politician.

He's actually as big a Kitson as any of the worst of them, playing up to the prejudices of the few Kitsons who might still vote for them.

He’s Tory. If you had ‘high hopes’ for him (another non-elected Prime Minister) you have your finger on the wrong pulse.

Teresa May (I think it was) had it right over a decade ago.

She said the Tories always had a reputation for being hard. She said they were seen as bas**rds, but competent bas**rds. They were hard and heartless, but they got things done.

She said that they way things were going, they were going to end up being seen as incompetent bas**rds.  They are truly f**king useless at running the country. In fact they've given up on even trying. So they just amplify the heartless bas**rd bit to stop other heartless bas**rds from voting for Farage.

[danumdon]

So it seem

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

The forum has its very own Russel Grant.

Wow, your funny!

Have you had a look at the current trajectory of sickness claims?

Even someone as witless as you could see that there increasing.

[danumdon]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

Do you ever actually read a post before you reply?

My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?

[tyke1962]

As someone who suffered with poor mental health around 20 years ago I was encouraged by the mental health charity MIND to try and find a physical job .

Apparently physical work is very good for poor mental health .

I'm not suggesting it's a one size fits all narrative because it's dependant on your age and physical capabilities plus the type of mental health problems you have .

However poor mental health doesn't necessarily mean you can't work .

[StocktonRover]

I havent seen the details behind this but it wouldnt surprise me in the slightest if this is a way to outsource a slice of healthcare to the Tory doner community

[BillyStubbsTears]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

Do you ever actually read a post before you reply?

My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?

Then maybe YOU would do well to actually listen to what Sunak has said today, where he conflated the rise in sickness absence with dog whistles about mental health issues being overblown.

He's a Kitson, appealing to Kitsons.

[danumdon]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

Do you ever actually read a post before you reply?

My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?

Then maybe YOU would do well to actually listen to what Sunak has said today, where he conflated the rise in sickness absence with dog whistles about mental health issues being overblown.

He's a Kitson, appealing to Kitsons.

Do you know that some are not being overblown, do you think every case is genuine?

I hope your not thinking i agree with Sunak and are calling me a Kitson?

[BillyStubbsTears]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

Do you ever actually read a post before you reply?

My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?

Then maybe YOU would do well to actually listen to what Sunak has said today, where he conflated the rise in sickness absence with dog whistles about mental health issues being overblown.

He's a Kitson, appealing to Kitsons.

Do you know that some are not being overblown, do you think every case is genuine?

I hope your not thinking i agree with Sunak and are calling me a Kitson?

No I don't think you're a Kitson. I think you are obsessed with responding "yeah but Labour are shit" to everything though and I'm really not in the mood today of all days after some news I've had to indulge that.

Look at what's happened to sickness benefit cases.

Look at what's happened to NHS waiting lists.

Then draw a conclusion.

[Sprotyrover]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

This "certain individual" has close up and personal experience of what mental health issues do to the vulnerable. And I f**king despise any Kitson who would play on that to get other Kitsons to vote for him.

Do you ever actually read a post before you reply?

My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?

Then maybe YOU would do well to actually listen to what Sunak has said today, where he conflated the rise in sickness absence with dog whistles about mental health issues being overblown.

He's a Kitson, appealing to Kitsons.

Do you know that some are not being overblown, do you think every case is genuine?

I hope your not thinking i agree with Sunak and are calling me a Kitson?

No I don't think you're a Kitson. I think you are obsessed with responding "yeah but Labour are shit" to everything though and I'm really not in the mood today of all days after some news I've had to indulge that.

Look at what's happened to sickness benefit cases.

Look at what's happened to NHS waiting lists.

Then draw a conclusion.

The conclusion I have drawn is you Billy are on the ‘Spectrum’

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Mental health issues are horrible. Grim, difficult to understand and in society quite divisive.

Where is the line between genuine serious issues and can't be bothered to go to work?

I don't know the answer but I'm not sure Sunak is all that wrong either. Why is it much more of an issue than it previously was?  Why are nearly a third of the 4 year olds in my son's nursery on a spectrum or classed as requiring needs? It never used to be that way so what has changed? Better understanding or the need to put differences in a bracket?

Before I'm criticised, I don't know the answers to those questions, it's a bit too complex for me and well outside my expertise.  But maybe Sunak has a point too?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Like I say BFYP. Look at the hospital waiting lists under this shower of shit then look at the number of people signed off sick.

The funding for dealing with mental health issues is cut to the bone. Then they blame people who have untreated mental health problems as being shirkers.

They have nothing at all to offer the country so they scuttle about like rats looking for someone to blame.

A few months now, then they can f**k off to well deserved obscurity and decide what purpose they serve.

Good riddance to them.

[BillyStubbsTears]

By the way, this is what the Tories are reduced to.

Sunak has said today that he doesn't want GPs deciding if people are too sick to work. He wants to outsource it to body of medical experts.

What the f**k are GPs then?

What he's doing here is precisely what the Tories are reduced to.

He's denigrating the ability and integrity of trained, professionals.

They've done it with judges, universities, economists, basically anyone with professional expertise.

Because that's all they have left. Pandering to sneering ignorance and bigotry.

[SydneyRover]

So it seems that certain individuals on here have no issue with the growing cabal of "sickness culture", when added to the growing "economically inactive" we have major issues with work in this country,

What happens when the sick list grows from 2.5m to 5m and above under Labour?

Im quite happy to fund the genuine needy, do we really want our taxes to be increased to fund the feckless?

Seems no one's happy with the Tory solution, i wonder what Labour will do to correct this situation?

''Have you had a look at the current trajectory of sickness claims?''

''My point was aimed at the increase in long term sickness allied with the economically inactive.

I've every sympathy for genuine cases and for people with mental health issues.

My point was aimed at the constant increase and how none genuine cases can be reduced, nobody likes the solution that Sunak as put forward, i'd be interested to hear how Labour will deal with this issue, the tax pot is only so big, what do they intend to do about it?''

DD you do jump straight in with your first post with some finger wagging.

It would make for a better discussion if you would produce information to support your claims dd it would also give an insight into where you glean your information.

[wilts rover]

Simon Case, the very highly paid UK Government Cabinet Secretary under Johnson & Sunak, took over two months off work 'sick leave' at the time he was due to give evidence to the Covid Inquiry.

Is this the type of 'sick note culture' Sunak is talking about? If so what has he done about it?

https://www.politico.eu/article/covid-inquiry-uk-top-official-simon-case-excused-from-appearing-this-year/

[wilts rover]

'The point (of the policy) is the cruelty itself'

Interesting to ponder when you see who supports it.

https://twitter.com/AdamBienkov/status/1781570416064016531

[tommy toes]

As I’ve said before, my son has schizophrenia.Been ill since he was 16.
Currently he’s ok (as ok as someone can be with his condition)as he’s taking his meds.
He’s 36 and has never worked and claims ESA and PIP.
Recently we were contacted by a worker from Reed about getting him into some work. It’s all part of the plan to get the long term sick into work.

I know for a fact that he’ll never be able to hold down a job as he’s so many deficits due to the negative symptoms of his illness and the side effects of his meds.
Nevertheless I gave him the opportunity to see this woman and he said he wanted to.
To give her her due she’s tried very hard to find him something and he’s been to a couple of interviews for menial jobs, pot washing and treading in divots at the racecourse, where they’ve known of his condition and been supportive, but with no offers.
The worker seems desperate to find him something and I wonder if she has targets to reach.
I’ve told her that even if he finds a job he can’t work more than 15 hours a week as he can’t afford to lose his benefits.
This is all despite me knowing that he won’t last 5 minutes with any employer as I’ve tried to get him to do simple jobs with me,he gives up as things just don’t compute.
I understand that and accept it, but an employer won’t, and I wonder if him seeing this woman is good for him as the inevitable rejections won’t do anything for his self worth or mental health.

[drfchound]

Simon Case, the very highly paid UK Government Cabinet Secretary under Johnson & Sunak, took over two months off work 'sick leave' at the time he was due to give evidence to the Covid Inquiry.

Is this the type of 'sick note culture' Sunak is talking about? If so what has he done about it?

https://www.politico.eu/article/covid-inquiry-uk-top-official-simon-case-excused-from-appearing-this-year/

It might well be a reason why Sunak has said what he has wilts.
As bfyp said above, it is a fine line between genuine cases and people looking for reasons not to go to work.
I don’t suppose that anyone on this forum has the required expertise to tell us.

[Bentley Bullet]

It's a sad fact of life that everyone has to be scrutinised because of a few cheats.