“The evidence received by this inquiry makes it clear that the government’s proposed reforms to disability benefits, as outlined in the ‘Pathways to Work Green Paper’ will only make life more precarious for disabled people, potentially pushing hundreds of thousands of people further into poverty and will only further entrench existing inequalities.”
All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty and Inequality
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty and Inequality has produced a report, The Disproportionate Impact of Poverty and Inequality on Disabled People, which “draws together shocking evidence submitted to this APPG inquiry into the disproportionate impact of poverty on disabled people”. It examine the impact of the government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper which proposes a series of cuts to ill-health and disability benefits.
The APPG believes that these changes “will only make life more precarious for disabled people, potentially pushing hundreds of thousands of people further into poverty and will only further entrench existing inequalities.”
The report warns that
- Up to 800,000 people could lose the Personal Independence Payment entirely;
- Some individuals stand to lose up to £886 per month;
- 250,000 people, including 50,000 children will be poushed into poverty (the government’s own estimate);
- The proposals could result in a £1.1 billion cut to unpaid carer’s support.
It calls on the government to abandon these proposals. It urges the government “to work in genuine partnership with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations to develop a co-produced social security system that is dignified, accessible and designed to support wellbeing.”
We have said that The government should abandon its ill-health and disability benefit cuts.
There will shortly be a Parliamentary vote on these proposals. As a matter of urgency can you draw this report to the attention of your MP can press them to vote against when it comes before Parliament.
You can read the report here.
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 