File:Norwich Jobcentre sanctions protest part of a nationwide campaign against vicious government cuts (March 2016).jpg

English: The News Line Friday 11 March 2016 Page 2

THERE was a protest against benefit sanctions outside Kiln House Jobcentre, Pottergate, Norwich on Wednesday March 10th from 10am to 2pm organised by the community union section of the Unite trade union and DPAC Norfolk.

News Line spoke to Marion Fallon representing Disabled People Against Cuts, Norfolk (DPAC).

She said: 'There is a national day against benefit sanctions today.

'Sanctions have increased by very large amounts in the last couple of years and have been getting worse.

'I've been very distressed over the last few days over the £30 a week cuts in ESA.

'This is after going back to the House of Lords three times. They gave extremely good reasons why this should not go ahead because it was punitive and not needed for disabled people. Unfortunately, it's now been agreed by the House of Commons.

'They are going to take £30 a week away from people who could have cancer, Parkinson's, or MS who need that money for appointments, for extra food, heating, and things like that.

'The government have said that you can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP). That's not completely true. PIP is completely different and is for people who are in work as well; so you should not be putting those side by side.

'Norfolk. County Council have an extremely vindictive and nasty saying: "Oh we're not here to give people a social life". That money in fact is to help with their muscle pain, and muscle fatigue. It allows people to be in a little better health because otherwise they could end up being in hospital a lot more.

'I'm very concerned about this year because it's all really falling apart with care packages and wellbeing packages cut by Norfolk County Council. People are being affected. in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) group of the ESA. Those people will end up using the NHS, GP surgeries, and more likely hospitals who are already struggling.

'The stress of these cuts causes more mental health problems and mental health services are already stretched in Norfolk and Suffolk and haven't been coping for a number of years. People will just be left at home to wither away!

'Sanctions are not slowing down. People on ESA who are deemed to be unwell and unable to work are being sanctioned because they are not well enough to do something or come to something!'

www.wrp.org.uk/