Is this the way forward for the PIP? Michael Burke was told that he should look into getting a driving job after his interview with the Jobcentre in Dee Street, Aberdeen.
Despite arriving at his interview on the two sticks he needs to get around after having arthritis in the spine and knees and having had a double hip replacement as well as stomach problems for which he has had numerous surgeries Mr Burke was asked if he would consider getting a driving job.Burke was one of those who claim incapacity benefit asked, some might say ordered under threat of losing further benefits, to attend reassessment as part of the government’s reshaping of the benefits system. Mr Burke, 56, has suffered from a number of ailments which have left him registered disabled for 12 years.
Despite Mary Miller’s assertions that face to face assessment would mean less form filling Mr Burke was required to complete a 28 page form in advance of his medical assessment. After this he was then asked to attend the Jobcentre to take part in an interview regarding the kind of work he would be willing to take part in.
During his interview Mr Burke said: “They asked if I could stand on one leg, to which I replied ‘Yes but I would fall over’, and then suggested I would be able to take a driving job – even though I can only sit for so long before it becomes painful. “When I suggested that they check with my doctor, I was told that they sometimes tell lies. I have had six operations on my stomach and four surgeons have operated on me – two on my stomach and two on my legs – so there would have to be something going on if every one of them was fibbing.”
Mr Burke said that his sympathies lie with anyone currently receiving incapacity benefit who has to go in for reassessment, he said that it would be a great cause not only of worry but also a great deal of inconvenience for a lot of people
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