The Conservative Party’s 2015 election manifesto contains an extraordinarily retrograde assault on the rights of people with mental and physical health problems in receipt of benefits. On page 28 of the manifesto, under the euphemistic heading; "We will help you back into work if you have a long-term yet treatable condition”, they propose that; "People who might benefit from treatment should get the medical help they need so they can return to work. If they refuse a recommended treatment, we will review whether their benefits should be reduced.”
In other words, people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol problems, or who are overweight will no longer be able freely to choose to consent, or withhold their consent, to treatment. To decline a recommended treatment will result in benefits sanctions, and consequent misery and poverty.
