Denying the obese benefits doesn’t feel like like a cock-up, it feels like part of a conspiracy

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I note this report in the FT this morning:

Overweight or unhealthy people who refuse to attend exercise sessions prescribed by doctors face having benefits docked under proposals to be put forward by a Tory-run local authority on Thursday. The initiative from Westminster council comes as responsibility for “community wellbeing and public health” is transferred to local authorities as part of a big overhaul.

I find that pretty amazing. Of course obesity and poverty are not perfectly correlated: far from it. But surely anyone with any sense realises that poor diet that can lead to obesity is often related to poverty? In that case, aren't this (Conservative) council entirely missing the point?

Or is it deliberate? After all, universal credit is now only going to be available to those with internet access. The poorest have the lowest access, and unsurprisingly the lowest IT literacy. And councils are closing libraries that might give those without a computer the access they need.

And now they're saying because you reveal the symptoms of poverty you may be denied the benefits you're entitled to.

Sorry, but I don't smell cock-up here. I smell conspiracy.


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