Way back on November 16th I wrote this post showing how the Tories were lying to us about people on benefits. On December the 4th I wrote a post showing that the Tories are using propaganda and spin to turn people on benefits into the enemy, among other things.
Finally – On January 4th the world has caught up – as the TUC proves that people have been fed lies by the Tories about benefit claimants.
You can read the ‘news’ here – or just enjoy these quotes:
“…you should not conduct policy, particularly when it hits some of the most vulnerable people in society, on the basis of prejudice and ignorance, and it is plainly immoral to spread such prejudice purely for party gain, as ministers and their advisers are doing, by deliberately misleading people about the value of benefits and who gets them…” “The truth remains that benefits are far from generous, the vast majority of the jobless are desperate for work and most benefit spending goes either on pensions or on benefits for those in jobs or who aren’t able to work.”You can also read it here – or enjoy some more quotes and stats:
“Polling commissioned by the Trades Union Congress suggests that a campaign by Tory ministers is turning voters against claimants – but only because the public is being fed “myths” about those who rely on benefits…” “…people who know least about the facts are the most hostile towards [benefits] claimants.”
| What people believe | What is actually true |
| 41% of the welfare budget goes to unemployed people | 3% of the total welfare budget goes to unemployed people. |
| 27% of the welfare budget goes to fraudulent claimants | 0.7% of the welfare budget goes to fraudulent claimants |
| 48% of people who claim benefits will go on to claim for at least a year | 27.8% will claim for a year or more |
The interesting thing is how many people support the governments benefit cuts UNTIL given these true figures, after which they change their minds. See the Independent article for more on that.
The Prophet Panda beat the worlds media by over a month! Props to me I think 😉
Related post :
https://ruleofstupid.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/dont-deceive-with-belief-a-delayed-pt-2/
Rule of Stupid 
Ahh, a rant from my friend. Awesome way to start the day. I am off to the vet’s. Back later.
Great poetry, RoS, but missed your rants!:)
Thanks! It’s taking me a while to wind back up again after the xmas love! Still, as long as there’s Cameron I’ll be pissed about something 😉
Politicians do tend to have that effect!
Clinically Irked Panda!
I try and walk my talk – and not to shirk my irk! (Whatever the hell that means!)
You probably know we have the same problem here in the US with many conservatives saying that the unemployed and poor are just lazy. It’s so annoying!
It is – and while not of the same order – it is another example of blaming the victim that you wrote of.
So you, like, have Republicans there too? Only you call them Tories? Is no place safe, Panda?
Nowhere is without it’s arseholes I fear!
Great piece, wonderful statistics and yes, you should rule the world. 🙂
That would lead to Pandamonium!
You’re too ridiculously and ‘stupid’ly sane!
Well thank you BRay – precisely the sort of compliment that makes me happy 😉