Press release from the Hardest Hit campaign
A choir of disabled people sang the Christmas blues outside Parliament today in protest against Government welfare reforms which will hit disabled people the hardest.
The choir performed familiar Christmas favourites with a twist, including "David It's Cold Inside" and "It Won't Be a Merry Christmas" alongside a giant Christmas card petition signed by over 20,000 people. (Full lyrics below*)
Card
The card, designed by the political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe and later hand delivered to Number 10 Downing Street, calls on David Cameron and Nick Clegg to protect the basic rights of disabled people.
This latest action by The Hardest Hit campaign coincides with the Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill in the House of Lords.
Heartfelt messages
Heartfelt messages from inside the card include:
"Please remember that while you are enjoying all the fun and activity of the Christmas and New Year holidays with your families, many sick and disabled people will be worrying about the effects of the benefit changes… I shall be wondering if this will be the last Christmas that I will able to afford to keep warm in my home."
"I live with a chronic illness which is a daily struggle. Please don't add to my burden by introducing these benefit changes."
Song lyrics*
David its cold inside
I'm all alone in my flat
(oh David it's cold inside)
I've got nothing to do
(oh Cleggy it's cold inside)
I can't pay my phone
(oh David it's cold inside)
Been hoping someone will heed our cries
Please hold my hands they're just like ice
I'm really starting to worry
(so please Lords start to hurry )
I'll have to spend Christmas alone
(oh Cleggy it's cold inside)
I've not seen a soul in days
(oh David it's cold inside)
I'm trapped inside with just fear and there's no food to eat
Needless to say there's no heat
(oh David it's really cold inside)
It won't be a Merry Christmas
It won't be a Merry Christmas
It won't be a Merry Christmas
It won't be a Merry Christmas or a happy New Year
Good tidings we hope from Dave and from Nick
Good tidings for a life -So please don't turn a deaf ear
Oh throw us some ho -ope
Or we all won't co-ope
Please change your tune and give us something to cheer
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
We won't go until we get some
So keep our DLA here
It won't be a Merry Christmas
It won't be a Merry Christmas
It won't be a Merry Christmas or a happy New Year
Good tidings we hope from Dave and from Nick
Good tidings for a life -Now give us something to cheer
-Ends-
To read the petition signed by over 20,000 disabled people, and their carers, families and campaigners, visit www.hardesthit.org.uk or www.facebook.com/thehardesthit
For media enquiries: Rachel Cafferty, Royal National Institute of Blind People, on 020 7391 2043, rachel.cafferty@rnib.org.uk
Or
RNIB PR Team - 020 7391 2223, pressoffice@rnib.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Disabled people, those with long-term conditions and their families are being hit the hardest by cuts to the benefits and services they need to live their lives.
Many are living in fear of cuts to essential benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The total cuts will mean an estimated £9 billion loss to disabled people and their families' incomes in the UK over the next four years, on top of cuts to many local care and support services.
The Hardest Hit campaign, organised jointly by the Disability Benefits Consortium and the UK Disabled People's Council, brings together individuals and over 50 organisations to send a clear message to the Government: stop these cuts.
Please make the New Year something disabled people can look forward to by: