UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Tanni Grey-Thompson slams welfare cuts, describing them as reckless and harmful, as campaigners warn of increasing hardship for disabled individuals.
Paralympian and disability advocate Tanni Grey-Thompson has warned that toxic rhetoric surrounding benefit cuts has sparked hatred against disabled people.
Campaigners have condemned the government’s planned welfare reforms, labelling them “brutal and reckless.”
Lady Grey-Thompson’s views about benefit cuts?
Lady Grey-Thompson, a cross-bench peer, has raised fears over rising hostility toward disabled people. She said disabled people are being harassed in the streets, with strangers telling them they would lose their benefits.
she said,
“There’s some really horrible rhetoric around at the moment,”
adding,
“It’s not a great time for disabled people. And the worry is that this doesn’t do the right things to get people into work. It’s whether it could push people who are currently just about surviving into greater poverty or more need.”
Sophie Morgan, a paraplegic TV presenter and disability rights activist, criticised the welfare reforms, stating there is no legitimate basis for the cuts. She argued that scapegoating disabled people creates a hostile atmosphere that could lead to dangerous outcomes.
She stated,
“If history has taught us anything, these cuts will have the opposite effect of what the government seems to think they will have. It will push people out of work, it will cause more poverty.”
Ms Morgan said,
“I don’t think there’s a single disabled person in the UK who won’t be affected by this. But I think everyone should be worried – if the government can treat people with the highest needs in our community this way, what else could they possibly do? It’s a very worrying question.”
She added,
“There is this terrible misconception that disabled people just take, but actually by taking from us, you prevent us from being able to give – we want to be able to participate in life equally the same as anyone else, and that includes going to work.”
What did Mikey Erhardt say about the £5bn welfare cuts?
Mikey Erhardt, a campaigner at Disability Rights UK, said,
“After months of rumours, media speculation and spin, it is clear these reforms were not about supporting disabled people into work, but instead simply about making brutal and reckless cuts amounting to £5bn.”
He added,
“Rising claims for Pip reflect not a problem with disabled people but rather reflect successive governments’ failure to do even the bare minimum to create a more equitable society.”
What did Paul Kissack say about the impact of welfare cuts on disabled people?
Paul Kissack, the CEO of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said,
“A government that came to office pledging to end the moral scar of food bank use clearly should not be taking steps that could leave disabled people at greater risk of needing to use one.”
He criticized the government’s approach to welfare cuts, warning that “enormous cuts” could derail essential policies like the “right to try guarantee.” He argued that the policy aims to support disabled people in finding employment.
Dermot Devlin’s views about the welfare cuts
Dermot Devlin, a disability rights campaigner, expressed deep distress over Liz Kendall’s speech in the House of Commons, revealing he had to turn off the TV because it was “too much.”
He stated,
“I had to turn it off because it was too much. The fact that they were putting it across as good news when in fact anyone who is disabled knows it’s anything but good news, it’s devastating for our community.”
Mr Devlin added,
“Public opinion is getting nasty towards disabled people. But Pip is needed for survival. You take Pip away and it’s just going to push so many disabled people, including myself, deeper and deeper into poverty.”
What changes did Liz Kendall announce for benefits?
On Tuesday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall revealed major adjustments to the benefits system. These include stricter PIP qualification measures, a review of the benefits evaluation process, and cuts in health-related universal credit.
Personal Independence Payment
- PIP provides financial support to people facing extra costs due to long-term illness or disability.
- It consists of two parts: daily living assistance for those with physical or mental conditions and mobility support for those struggling with movement.
- The payment is tax-free and aims to help with essential daily needs and independence.