Who does having an artificial language for this kind of thing help? Does it signify that being on a benefit is not natural and shouldn't be considered normal? Removing the human element is another aspect of making being on a benefit difficult and unpleasant - "we want to help you, but we don't want you to enjoy it, or take it for granted that we will help". Probably in fact it was done by degrees. Endless reviews and reshuffles and consultants (= con + insult) have gradually forced the welfare jargon away from natural human language and into this officialese bullshit.
With all political parties talking 'cuts' I assume that people on benefits in the UK are in for a tough time in the next few years. The fall-out from the rich getting richer is going to fall on the lower strata of society. With Labour talking about cuts to Education (whatever happened to "education education education"?) one can only quake in one's boots. And this cold weather has been very expensive for the welfare system - I like getting my £25 when it's below freezing and I imagine some people are absolutely dependent on it, but the last few weeks must have cost a fortune in cold weather payments.
2010 is probably going to be a year of anxiety for people on benefits - the chances are that the Conservatives are going to get in, and they will be cutting social spending more than the others, and making life more difficult for us. I know Labour are getting farcical, but do we really want the Cons back in? What this country needs is PR, but the pollies will never go for it because it reduces their power. Perhaps we should focus on getting citizen initiated referenda on the agenda first and then use that. Not that I have any time and energy for politics - I just stand on the sideline feebly hoping I don't get trampled. I call it my Hamlet Complex. And we all know what happened to him (or should do!).
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