I, Daniel Blake

---

Good morning, Mr Blake. My name's Amanda.

I've got a couple of questions

here for you today

to establish your eligibility for

Employment Support Allowance.

It won't take up much of your time.

Could I just ask firstly,

can you walk more than 50 metres

unassisted by any other person?

- Yes.

- Okay.

Can you raise either arm as if to

put something in your top pocket?

I've filled this in already

on your 52-page form.

Yeah, I can see that you have

but, unfortunately,

I couldn't make out what you had said there.

Yes.

Can you raise either arm to the top of

your head as if you are putting on a hat?

I've telt you, there's nowt wrong

with me arms and legs.

Could you just answer

the question, please.

Well, you've got me medical records.

Can we just talk about me heart?

D'you think you could

just answer these questions?

Okay.

So was that a yes, that you

can put a hat on your head?

- Yes.

- Okay, that's great.

Can you press a button

such as a telephone keypad?

There's nowt wrong with me fingers either.

I mean, we're getting farther

and farther away from me heart.

If we could just keep

to these questions, thank you.

Do you have any significant difficulty

conveying a simple message to strangers?

Yes. Yes, it's me f***ing heart.

I'm trying to tell you but you'll not listen.

Mr Blake, if you continue

to speak to us like that

that's not gonna be very helpful

for your assessment.

If you could just answer

the question, please.

- Yes.

- Okay.

Do you ever experience any loss of control

leading to extensive evacuation of the bowel?

No. But I cannot guarantee

there won't be a first if we divvent

get to the point.

Can you complete a simple

task of setting an alarm clock?

Oh, Jesus. Yes.

Can I ask you a question?

Are you medically qualified?

I'm a health care professional

appointed by the

Department of Work and Pensions

to carry out assessments for

Employment and Support Allowance.

But there was a bloke out in the,

er, in the waiting room,

he says that you work

for an American company.

Our company's been

appointed by the Government.

Are you a nurse? Are you a doctor?

I'm a health care professional.

Listen, I've had a major heart attack.

I nearly fell off the scaffolding.

I wanna get back to work, too.

Now, please, can we talk about me heart?

Forget about me arse, that works a dream.

Piper, you lazy bastard.

Will you get out of bed

and do some housework!

China!

China!

Sorry, Dan, just got a text

to go to work. I'm late.

Did you enjoy your chicken tikka masala?

- How did you know that?

- Cos I can bloody smell it.

How many times have I told you about

leaving rubbish lying about the place,

stinking it up?

- Can I dump it later? I'm running late.

- No. Now!

Dan...

Erm, I've got a big favour to ask

I'm expecting a package. Really important.

They've changed my hours, so I won't be in.

Can you keep an eye out for the postman?

If you swear nae more rubbish.

- Catch!

- Don't you f***ing dare.

- I'll kick your arse into next week.

- Okay.

Daft as a bloody brush.

When can I go back to work?

Ah, not yet, that's for certain.

You're making progress.

I think if we just

continue you on the same dosage.

And, yeah, rehab exercise.

We'll see if we can

the pumping capacity to increase.

- Yeah.

- And it might.

But if not, we might need to look

at fitting you with a defibrillator.

Keep up with the exercise, keep moving.

That's gonna build you up.

But you need to be rested as well.

Well, I'm a bit of a night owl, you know.

I got into the habit

when I was looking after the missus

before she passed away.

How you doing, son? How you doing?

- All right.

- How's the old ticker?

Ah, you know, me marathon days are over.

But, you know,

I'll be fine in a month or two.

Ah, well, be leaving that Viagra alone.

I'll keep it for you, shall I?

Aye, I probably need it more than you.

Right, well, owt you want here?

- Have a look

- Oh, that's nice, aye.

Meranti, aye, African Meranti.

It's great, man.

So, er, d'you reckon

you'll get back to Ferguson's?

Depends on the work, I suppose.

I mean, you know what it's like.

It's up and down.

Aye, well.

Gotta see this.

There you go.

Oh, that's a lovely piece.

Aye, I'll have the...

I'll have the lads drop it by for you.

Erm, are you all right?

I'm on the mend.

I mean, I can get your shopping

sorted out for you, you know.

Like, the heavy stuff and that,

like, it's nae bother.

Thanks, Joe.

You know, I like to get out and about.

Gives us something to do.

Well, give us a shout if you need anything.

I mean, I mean that.

You, you gave us a big fright, you know.

BBC Radio Four, it's twelve minutes to 1:00.

Now the shipping forecast,

issued by the Met Office

on behalf of the Maritime

and Coastguard Agency

at double-O-1-5

on Tuesday the 20th of October.

There are warnings of gales

in Trafalgar, Fitzroy...

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