Cut to Disability Benefits Now in Force
UK GOVERNMENT’S “DEVASTATING” CUT TO DISABILITY BENEFITS NOW IN FORCE - £30 A WEEK CUT TO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT ALLOWANCE INTRODUCED TODAY
The Scottish National Party has described today’s (April 1st 2017) introduction of a £30 a week cut to Employment Support Allowance as “a dark moment” and called on UK ministers to urgently bring forward the promised support package to help disabled people meet the additional costs of disability.
The SNP has opposed the £30 cut from the outset, which was put forward as part of the Welfare Reform and Work Act that received Royal Assent in March last year despite a wealth of opposition from third sector organisations and even the House of Lords.
In November, MPs from nine parties - including Conservative MPs - supported SNP calls for the cut to be postponed until alternative financial support was introduced. Despite UK Ministers promising that a package of additional measures would be introduced, nothing happened.
Patricia said:
“This is a particularly dark moment - even for this Tory Government with their abysmal record of social security cuts which especially impact some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
"This cut will have a devastating impact on the lives of disabled people who - as determined by the DWP - are unable to work through ill-health or disability.
“Instead of helping people with a disability to live independently, this regressive cut will push people further from work and put individuals in hardship - which is a complete contradiction of the Tory manifesto commitment to halve the disability employment gap.
“As this cut comes into force, neither MPs nor third sector organisations or disabled people have been given the information promised about what the Tories would do to ensure ESA recipients, new and existing are not financially penalised.
“The UK government must recognise that this no way to treat its citizens and act urgently to ensure that adequate support is delivered for sick and disabled people when they are unable to work.”
