So we had a budget yesterday, higher taxes for the rich, cuts in public services in the future not a happy picture.  Its great that government is giving more to disabled children and to pensions.

However with an increasing welfare bill moving forward and the changes in the pipeline (the move from Incapacity Benefit to Employment & Support Allowance) we need to be vigilant and ensure that fairness for HIV+ people who are so disadvantaged especially in the work arena are not forgotten.  Money in the public sector is going to become tighter, many more claiming from a finite "pot".  

Extra funding for Job Centre Plus and the job creation scheme is welcome in so much as lets hope some of this translates into some training on the issues facing HIV+ people and to overcome the barriers they also face in returning to work.

Healthcare is also of concern. With cuts to healthcare budgets we need to ensure that healthcare providers treat HIV properly. T_hCell isn't involved directly in the delivery of HIV healthcare, there are many people who campaign on all of our behalf here who are very knowledgeable but we must support their efforts where we can.  Clearly our concern is with funding and priority to HIV & Mental Health, HCV and our desire for sexual equality in the HPV vaccination program for boys as well as girls (and Gardasil for both).

The everyday services that people with HIV may need and have been diminishing over the last decade are our concern and in the current climate we aim to ensure we are again treated equitably.

Yes the blog is back. I missed the "dialogue" nature of being able to chat about the issues.