In the wake of Christos Palmer’s recent demonstration against disability cuts, here are some of the vital numbers you need to know.
£2 million – the current number of working age people claiming a Disability Living Allowance
£13 billion – the current annual cost of Disability Living Allowance
£131.50 – the maximum amount current claimants are awarded a week
£2.24 billion – how much the scheme aims to cut from benefit payments annually
500,000 – the estimated number of people who will no longer be able to claim benefits
A disabled man has ended a hunger strike and vigil outside the offices of healthcare company Atos.
Christos Palmer, 32, suffers from physical and mental difficulties, but was recently declared ‘fit for work’ by Atos, a private government contractor. As a result, he will have his benefits cut.
In protest, Christos held a five-day vigil in partnership with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) outside Atos’ Cardiff branch. His hunger strike lasted until Thursday, when he was advised to eat by family and DPAC members who were gravely concerned for his health.
Rob Marsh, the DPAC spokesperson for the protest, said that it had been “very successful”.
“It had the best coverage any of our demonstrations have ever had – most likely because it was a hunger strike.”
In the wake of Christos Palmer’s recent demonstration against disability cuts, here are some of the vital numbers you need to know.
£2 million – the current number of working age people claiming a Disability Living Allowance
£13 billion – the current annual cost of Disability Living Allowance
£131.50 – the maximum amount current claimants are awarded a week
£2.24 billion – how much the scheme aims to cut from benefit payments annually
500,000 – the estimated number of people who will no longer be able to claim benefits