Labour MP Imran Hussain told Work and Pensions Secretary the planned cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits could ‘devastate lives’ of claimants
A Labour MP has warned his constituents are “horrified” at plans to slash disability benefits and urged the government to change course.
Imran Hussain told the Commons planned reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits could “devastate lives” of claimants. Next month MPs are expected to vote on proposals to tighten eligibity for PIP as part of £5billion in cuts to sickness and disability benefits.
But Mr Hussain said: “Many of the 41,00 disabled people in Bradford who rely on PIP to live with dignity and stability are rightly horrified by these proposed cuts. These plans would take away the vital lifeline from those with the greatest need, living in the most deprived areas, often.”
He urged the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, to “scrap these unfair cuts” and instead introduce a wealth tax on the super-rich. Other Labour MPs also urged Ms Kendall to publish an impact assessment of the changes.
Ms Kendall replied: “I hear very clearly what my honourable friend says, but I also want to be clear to the House – for people who can never work, we want to protect them. For disabled people who can work, we want to support them.
“The truth is that if you are a disabled person and in work, you are half as likely to be poor than if you are out of work. We want to improve people’s chances and choices by supporting those who can work, to do so, and protecting those who cannot.”
It comes as Keir Starmer braces for the biggest revolt of his premiership so far when cuts to PIP are voted on next month. Dozens of Labour MPs have already written to the PM urging him to change course and delay the vote until a full consultation has taken place.
READ MORE: Inside Labour’s benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet
On Monday Ms Kendall also told MPs the government had begun a review of PIP assessments – as promised in March by the government. She told MPs: “Personal Independence Payments is a crucial benefit that makes a contribution towards the extra costs of living with a disability.
“I know how anxious many people are when there’s talk about reform, but this Government wants to ensure PIP is fair for people who need it now and into the future.
“In our Green Paper we promised to review the PIP assessment, working with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts. And I can tell the House we are starting the first phase of that review today.” She added: “We will keep the House updated as this work progresses.”
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