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Britain is sicker and poorer than it used to be. Sunak’s response? Attack disabled people | Frances Ryan | The Guardian

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With his claims of a ‘sicknote culture’, the prime minister is scapegoating those worst affected by 14 years of Conservative rule W hen a prime minister knows he is heading for electoral wipeout, he has one of two options. He can choose dignified statesmanship, using his remaining months in power to bring about as much unity and stability as possible. Or he can choose desperation, grasping for votes by scapegoating marginalised people, and leaving division and misery in his wake. Rishi Sunak has gone for the second option. On Friday, he announced a new crackdown on disability benefits that has been described by charities as “a full-on assault on disabled people”. The country has a “sicknote culture” that needs to be tackled, the prime minister said. Britain “can’t afford” its record levels of welfare spending and it’s “not fair” on the taxpayer. It is not simply that such rhetoric is cruel or misleading; it is not even original. Attacking sick and disabled people is a method that has b

Illustration: R Fresson/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Illustration: R Fresson/The Guardian Opinion Benefits This article is more than 2 years old Britain is sicker and poorer than it used to be. Sunak’s response? Attack disabled people This article is more than 2 years old Frances Ryan With his claims of a ‘sicknote culture’, the prime minister is scapegoating those worst affected by 14 years of Conservative rule Tue 23 Apr 2024 01.00 EDT Last modified on Fri 7 Feb 2025 11.31 EST Share W hen a prime minister knows he is heading for electoral wipeout, he has one of two options. He can c

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