Successive UK governments, and their media allies, have been vigorous in smearing benefit claimants. To achieve this, politicians and their propagandists have played on popular stereotypes, stoking up prejudice against ‘scroungers’ while lavishly rewarding members of their own class at taxpayers’ expense. Savi Hensman looks at the reality behind the rhetoric, especially in relation to assessment.

Charities, NGOs, poverty, disability and faith groups across Britain are lobbying MPs to vote for significant changes to the Welfare Reform Bill

Groups of disabled, sick and elderly people will take to the streets in central London today to protest loudly against government welfare cuts.