Letters: I've never met someone with a learning disability earning £30,000 a year

A reader points out that the average income if you have a learning disability is only one-third of the minimum required to live in dignity in the UK.

You’ll never earn high if you have a learning disability

I saw the figure you need to live in dignity. I have never earned half the amount needed, let alone £30,000. (The average income for someone with a learning disability is under £10,000 a year in Cornwall.) The fact so many people with learning disabilities are needing help from food banks show the deprivation that’s happening. And it’s happening while society carries on regardless. 

l have never met someone with a learning disability who was earning £30,000 a year. One of the most frustrating things is there is a view that people with intellectual disabilities don’t need money. How are people supposed to survive?

Christopher

A question of sport

As a retired primary school teacher, can I take this opportunity to agree with Paul McNamee’s editorial about sports funding? Labour’s £900 million to help sports in Britain grow would be so much more effective if way more than £400m of it was allocated to grassroots development. More concerted help is needed at local level. Any MP really interested in grassroots sport should watch the recent heartwarming series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams: local effort really can count and can have huge ripple effects. 

Tony Rowe, Suffolk

Read more:

• Just 5% of people with a learning disability are employed. This woman is out to prove the world wrong
• Learning disability services have faced ‘drastic reduction in funding’ despite saving NHS money
• Disabled man may be forced to close his business after DWP slashed his Access to Work support

Trainspotter’s guide

The first locomotive on the Stockton and Darlington Railway was Locomotion No 1  rather than Locomotive No 1 [the Big Picture, Issue 1685]. I enjoy reading TBI, which I purchase from Joe outside my local Waitrose. Best Regards.

Martin Sims 

We don’t need this fascist groove

Robin Ince writes: “If we are to defeat the fascists who wish to brainwash those who suffer by telling them those to blame are the refugees or trans community, then we have to move forward with love”. What, if anything, does this actually mean?  Who are these fascist brainwashers whom we must defeat by moving forward with love?  Who are “those who suffer” and what do they suffer from?

I suspect what Mr Ince means by “fascists” is “people who disagree with him on certain social issues” and by “wish to brainwash” he means “seek to persuade by expressing opinions different to his own”.

I have heard critics of uncontrolled immigration put the blame for such things as the unavailability of NHS dentistry on illegal economic migrants, but never on genuine refugees. As for the trans community being blamed for other people’s woes, I doubt he could provide a single instance in which those who suffer were brain-washed by fascists into blaming the trans community for their sufferings.

But if fascist brainwashers do actually exist, shall we really defeat them by moving forward with love? How would that have worked against the fascist regimes of the 20th century in Germany, Italy or the Soviet Union?

David Wheeler

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We asked: What single picture sums up your life in Britain right now? Chris sent us this artwork.

Dear Big issue, Here are my realities and far, far away dreams.

Chris Burns, email

Build back better

The problem with new developments is they are often sterile with no shops, cafes, probably no public library. Green space often with nowhere to sit. These are not the kind of towns I want to see being built.

How would I manage housing if it were my remit?

I would remove the ridiculous points system that means most people will never reach the top of the list. I would bring back council housing and not force people into private rentals. I’d introduce a two-tier housing system. Those on tier one would be those in dire housing need. They would be housed in temporary accommodation until they get their permanent council home. Those on tier two would be those who are waiting for their permanent home. On this list there would be no queue jumping. No one should have to wait more than five years for a permanent home.

Rents should be pegged to the national minimum wage; you should not have
to pay more than 25% of your income on rent. Anyone, and I mean anyone should be able to apply for and receive a council home. 

Graham Smith

We asked: How is Keir Starmer doing as prime minister?

There are some things he’s done well but I don’t think he is doing enough to lower energy costs. I also want to see higher taxes on the rich. 

Anne Wall, Facebook 

He’s not as terrible as people think. He inherited an absolute mess and is trying to fix it. I disagree with a lot of what his government’s done but it could be a lot worse. I think there’s a lot of good going on behind the scenes.

Jay Henderson, Facebook

‘Could do better.’ 

Robert Campbell-Roscoe, Facebook 

He’s betrayed Labour voters, who hoped and voted for change. Instead we got more of the same Tory austerity. Unless he starts delivering real socialist policies, he is paving the way for Reform to become a serious contender.

Diana Foster, Facebook

It’s a thankless job I can see that. I think he is in the business of grown-up politics. His difficulty is a lack of charisma, lack of clear vision and a lack of decent PR. 

Ieuan Phillips, Facebook

He is completely out of touch with what the people want. 

Michael Frankson-Wells, Facebook

As a life-long Labour supporter I’m sorry to say I’m very disappointed in him. 

Joanne Miles, Facebook

Bearing up under the strain of working to repair 14 years of Tory incompetence, in a hostile environment. 

Derek Tschemerys, Facebook

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