MPs MUST OPPOSE LABOUR DISABILITY CUTS

ADAMSON: TWO TIER SYSTEM SENSELESS AND UNFAIR

SNP MSP Clare Adamson has blasted the UK Government for playing games with people’s lives ahead of a crunch vote on Labour plans to cut critical disability support.

A vote on Labour’s Disability Cuts Bill is due to come before Westminster tomorrow.  There is significant opposition to Labour’s cuts despite a deal between Keir Starmer and some Labour backbenchers.

Ms Adamson, the MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has emphasised warnings that the Labour deal amounts to £3 billions in cuts and the creation of a two-tiered system.

Labour’s planned cuts will hit future claimants of PIP and the health element of Universal Credit – punishing young and newly sick and disabled people.

The SNP Scottish Government has confirmed it will not follow Labour’s two-tiered system and it will protect Adult Disability Payments in Scotland.  But Ms Adamson pointed out that any UK cuts will affect spending available in Scotland.

Disability Rights UK warned the newly proposed cuts to disability and sickness benefits will create "a two-tiered" system. Speaking on Times Radio on Friday, Mikey Erhardt warned "The idea that you will be less in need, or less deserving of support depending on when the condition that necessitates that support, is something you just have to reject out and out".

Anas Sarwar, who has consistently backed Keir Starmer’s disability cuts, is yet to indicate how he will instruct Scottish Labour MPs to vote.  

Pamela Nash, Labour MP for Motherwell, Wishaw, and Carluke previously criticised cuts to disability welfare proposed under the Conservative Government – arguing that such a move would disproportionately disabled people in her community.  Despite that, Ms Nash has not spoken out against Labour’s cuts to disability welfare which will drive thousands into poverty, according to the UK Government’s own figures.

Ms Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:

“None of this sorry saga is about protecting or supporting sick and disabled people.  Labour announced billions in welfare cuts, saving money on the backs of people who can’t afford it.

“And now, at the 11th hour, after months of pressure from anti-poverty charities and disability groups, Keir Starmer has rushed through a deal to save himself. 

“From the start, these proposals were not properly consulted upon.  Labour needs to go back to the drawing board; disabled people affected by these cuts have been completely dismissed. 

“Labour plans will create a discriminatory two-tier system which treats people with exactly the same condition in different ways - depending on when they became ill or disabled. 

“That is senseless, unfair, and possibly unlawful.  If the cuts are pushed through tomorrow, you had better not become sick or disabled in future because Labour has made it clear they won’t support you.

“For the Labour MPs who found some principle and joined the chorus of backlash against these cuts, I’d urge you to hold firm.  This hasty deal will drive poverty, deny opportunity, and deepen inequality for sick and disabled people. 

“For Scottish Labour politicians who vowed to stand up to Keir Starmer, your silence is a rank betrayal of the people you’re supposed to represent.  Labour is rushing legislation through with backdoor deals – while disabled people are fearful for their future.  MPs must oppose these shameful cuts tomorrow because it is the right thing to do.”

Background

Unacceptable 'Concessions' on the Disability Cuts will Permanently Divide The Disabled Community | Disability Rights UK

Up to 1.2m disabled people will lose thousands in UK welfare overhaul, experts warn

11 February 2014 – Debate on Fairness and Inequality

Fairness and Inequality - Hansard - UK Parliament

In a 2014 UK Parliament debate on ‘Fairness and Inequality’, Pamela Nash said:

“Partly owing to our industrial heritage, my constituency has relatively high levels of disability and chronic illness—as a result of old injuries from those days—and that has made my community particularly vulnerable to the welfare cuts. Many households have a member living with a disability or illness, as I see every day. I have been particularly perturbed by the scrapping of crisis loans, which is affecting the most vulnerable in our society, and although many of the changes have been mitigated by the Scottish welfare fund, many people are still being left in dire straits. Every day I see people whose benefits have been sanctioned and who are no longer entitled to a crisis loan.”