Sue Christoforou, Co-Chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium and Policy Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “On 1 July, the government was forced to concede major changes to the dangerous and flawed Welfare Bill, thanks to campaigning by disabled people, organisations and charities across the UK, as well as MPs who listened.
The UK government failed to present any rationale for cutting eligibility for PIP, other than a desire to cut costs. So we are delighted that PIP changes – rather than cuts – will now be subject to a process of consultation with disabled people and those with long term conditions, as they always should have been.
However, the cut to the Universal Credit health element has still been voted through which will push the poorest disabled people further into poverty. We urge the government to go further and stop this damaging change.
We will continue to work with the disabled community to urge MPs to stop the dangerous Universal Credit cuts in the bill and continue to press the government to review those plans. Any reformed system needs to be co-produced with charities and disabled people’s organisations. Disabled people and those living with long-term conditions deserve so much more.”
Disability Benefits Consortium 