Parliament: Welfare: Disabled `betrayed' by proposed benefit cuts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.FRANK FIELD, the former Social Security minister, launched his most vigorous attack to date on the Government's welfare plans when he claimed yesterday that pounds 750m of benefit cuts would betray the disabled.
Mr Field spoke out after disabled rights campaigners held a mass lobby of Parliament in protest at the Welfare Reform and Pension Bill currently passing through the House of Commons. The Disability Benefits Consortium, an umbrella group of more than 250 disabled groups, said that the Bill would remove crucial financial support from some of the most vulnerable in society.
The proposals include the abolition of the Severe Disablement Allowance.
Mr Field was joined by Lord Ashley of Stoke (Lab), chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Disablement Group, and backbench MPs, including Dr Lynne Jones (Lab, Birmingham Selley Oak). "The cutsbreak the specific promise to disabled people that any social security savings would come from helping them to find work and not from cutting entitlement," Mr Field said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments