Tim Farron urges Secretary of State to scrap controversial disability benefit cuts

On the floor of the House of Commons last night, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron slammed government welfare cuts for disabled people as ‘unjust’ and ‘uncaring’.

Over the weekend, it was announced that disabled people who currently receive personal independence payments (PIP) will continue to do so at the same rate, after a partial climbdown from the government.

However the cuts will still hit future claimants, with Tim warning that this will create a “two tier benefits system”.

Speaking during a ministerial statement on Welfare Reform, Tim said: “I spoke to a resident - a friend - in my constituency over the weekend. She is a wheelchair user since a failed back operation some years ago. She currently gets PIP. 

“She gets three points for dressing and undressing and two points for washing and bathing. She needs help with both, yet she fears, as do I, that anybody with her exact needs applying after next November will be left without help. We are right, are we not, to be concerned and to fear that? 

“That is unjust and uncaring, isn’t it?”

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall replied: “I repeat to the honourable gentleman that it is common through the benefit system to protect existing claimants from new rules and rates.  

“I also say to him that we are putting billions of pounds extra into the NHS so people can get the health and social care support they need. 

“We are putting in place the biggest-ever employment support investment for sick and disabled people because we know disabled people who are out of work are twice as likely to be in poverty. That is the investment we are making. His constituents will be protected and will not be put into poverty as a result of the changes in this bill.”

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: “The Secretary of State completely missed the point. 

“She is creating a two-tier benefit system where people who are diagnosed with conditions such as Parkinsons or MS after November next year will struggle to access vital support.

“Cutting this support for disabled people who need help to get washed and dressed will not help a single person into work, but it will cause more pain and misery for the most vulnerable.

“I will be voting against these appalling cuts today.”