J‘ ustice system should be tougher on offenders’

Sally Kellerman, actress, Stacy Keach, actor,

Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, Joanna Gleason, actress, Tony Hadley, singer Mark and Steve Waugh, former cricketers, Jon Culshaw, comedian, Zachary Quinto, actor, Dominic Cooper, actor, THE Examiner reported the story of a driver banned from driving five times in 12 months.

This is because quite simply, the justice system in this country is not fit for purpose ... and that is a fact.

It is far too lenient and far too goody-goody.

There needs to be a definite deterrent, a deterrent which quite fundamentally stops offenders from doing what they do without regard for anyone or anything.

I would stop people in their tracks straight away.

Punishment should be brought back ... and national service should be re-introduced. (PIP) has proved a disaster. While many accept DLA was in need of reform, PIP has failed those with disabilities who rely on these benefits to survive, with thousands nationally losing benefits when re-assessed.

The British Polio Fellowship has helped scores of its members navigate the new system yet many have still had claims rejected.

It is telling we have never lost a case when challenging decisions at Tribunal. I put this success down to the skills of our Support Services team but the obvious failings of PIP cannot be ignored.

Assessors continue to underestimate levels of fatigue those living with Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) have to deal with. Why not ask the medical professionals caring for us?

Our pride is sometimes all we have – do assessors not realise this is why countless people play down how much they depend on mobility aids on these complex forms, rather than use it to reject as many people as they think they can get away with?

Our workload is such that we have had to give staff more time to work on new cases.

With 8,000 members and an estimated 120,000 people in the UK living with PPS, we have our work cut out, but Support Services doesn’t turn anyone away. Call us now on 0800 043 1935 or visit www.britishpolio.org.uk

Yours faithfully