Battersea disabled already hit by benefits cuts will not be helped by green paper, says MP

BY TOBY PORTER
Toby@slpmedia.co.uk

An MP says one in five disabled people on benefit have already had their benefits cut in the last two years – and the government has blown a chance to help the disabled.

In a debate on Ministers’ health and disability green plans, Battersea MP Marsha de Cordova listed the flaws in assessments for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

She said the Government’s green paper is “a grave missed opportunity”.

She added: “The Beveridge report in 1945 envisioned a social security system as a safety net, there to support each and every citizen in need.

“But there is an ever-growing link between poverty and disability. Social security is no longer seen as a basic right.

“By the end of 2020 in Battersea, one in five disabled people in receipt of PIP had their awards reduced and one in three had their PIP completely stopped.

“The overwhelming body of evidence shows the assessments for both Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are unfit for purpose.

The aim of assessments must be to get the decision right first time. But time and time again this has not been the case.

“Over 70 per cent of PIP and ESA decisions are overturned at independent tribunals.

“This process is incoherent, wasteful, undignified, and immensely cruel to  people who deserve to be treated with compassion.

“The consequences of this failing system are devastating. 5,690 people died within six months of being found fit for work under the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) in the decade to 2019.

Labour is proud to support the calls for an independent inquiry into these deaths.

“In today’s debate, MPs from across the country were sharing heart-breaking testimonies from constituents who have been victimised by the current system.

This system has to be overhauled, and rebuilt in a way that treats disabled people with the dignity they deserve.”

De Cordova called on the Government to:

• Change the demonising and diminishing rhetoric around disabled people and social security.
• Properly engage and consult with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations before bringing forward their white paper.
• Create an inclusive and accessible application process and assessment framework built on compassion and in genuine collaboration with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations.
• Commit to overhauling the Work Capability Assessment to focus it on how an individual’s disability affects them on a daily basis.
• End the waste and unaccountability of private contractors and bring disability assessments back in house.
• Ensure the white paper addresses the inadequate rates of social security for disabled people.

 

Pictured: Marsha Da Cordova - Wiki - official by Chris McAndrew