LONDON – Britain has responded to the recent news that the Department for Work and Pensions used fabricated testimonials and stock photos in their benefit sanctions leaflet in the best possible way: by coming up with a new meme.
The meme kicked off Tuesday, a day after Welfare Weekly used a Freedom of Information request to force the DWP into admitting that the stories they used in their leaflet were "for illustrative purposes only" and the names and stock photos "do not belong to real claimants."
The leaflet in question lays out new sanctions for Employment and Support Allowance (basically, financial penalties benefit claimants can face if they don't do something they're asked to do). As part of the leaflet there are two "stories" that appear to be direct quotes from people who have benefited from the benefit sanctions; these are the ones the DWP admitted to making up.
The leaflet has since been removed from the DWP's website, but can be viewed in full here.
After the news broke, it wasn't long before people started posting #fakeDWPstories on Twitter.
Sarah's Story #fakeDWPstories pic.twitter.com/4OnNMTKZCg— Jason Spacey (@Jason_Spacey) August 18, 2015
Some mock the concept of benefit sanctions directly.
The 3 flights of stairs I had to climb for my Atos assessment were the spur I needed to ditch my wheelchair and walk again #fakeDWPstories— Kevin Turvey (@KevinTurveyRIP) August 18, 2015
"Without a letter telling me I have to attend the work programme without fail I would have never come out of my coma" #fakeDWPstories— Jon Swindon (@swindon81) August 18, 2015
Shortly after my death from cancer I was classed as fit to work. I now run a small accounting firm in Swindon #fakeDWPstories.— Alexander Hamilton (@ADHamilton91) August 18, 2015
The stories quickly got more and more creative.
After I was sanctioned my morale was boosted so much I started my own 3d printing company producing Hovercrafts #fakeDWPstories— Bella Caledonia (@bellacaledonia) August 18, 2015
I was sanctioned for being late, so I built a rickshaw from scrap wood & pram wheels & gave rides. Now I own a bus company. #fakeDWPstories— Archduke of Bohemia (@thatguyinprague) August 18, 2015
Having my benefits stopped gave me the motivation to start a new career #FakeDWPstories pic.twitter.com/r6YT3OZ4uE— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) August 18, 2015
Until they quickly reached peak wackiness.
"The DWP - so successful we're even finding jobs for dogs." #fakeDWPstories pic.twitter.com/iCtWOfT24D— Scott Reid (@scottreid1980) August 18, 2015
"Despite decades without work, we found this woman a job in a chocolate factory." #fakeDWPstories pic.twitter.com/0F0gv3nisQ— Michael Gray (@GrayInGlasgow) August 18, 2015
This one is quite possibly our favourite.
Bestest ever #fakeDWPstories ( apologies can't find originator to credit) pic.twitter.com/YOjGkfMnSb— Muriel Gray (@ArtyBagger) August 19, 2015
The Freedom of Information request sent to Welfare Weekly said the DWP have added a note explaining that the testimonials are illustrative examples only, and that they've changed the pictures to silhouettes.
"We want to help people understand when sanctions can be applied and how they can avoid them by taking certain actions," read the response. "Using practical examples can help us achieve this."