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Hardest Hit statement for publication: 15 September 2011
Concern over the Welfare Reform Bill is clearly growing in a week when over 50 Peers spoke out in a debate on the Bill and the Liberal Democrat conference are preparing to vote on a motion questioning key aspects of the reforms.
Yesterday's decision to hold the committee stage of the Bill away from the main chamber of the House of Lords is deeply frustrating. However, we were encouraged by the large number of Peers who voiced their concerns in this week's debate. Many had heard the concerns of disabled people across the UK and had a real understanding of the negative impact this Bill could have on disabled people's income and independence. We hope that this support will lead to amendments at the committee stage of the Bill.
Backing the Bill, Lord Freud asked Peers to support an end to the 'something for nothing culture', yet the response of fellow Peers shows that the Welfare Reform Bill risks creating a 'nothing for some' culture.
The proposed time limit on contributory Employment and Support Allowance fails to acknowledge the complex issues that disabled people face in preparing for and finding work. While the arbitrary 20 per cent reduction target for the benefit that will replace Disability Living Allowance will deny many people vital help with the additional costs of living with a disability.
The continued support of those who voiced concerns is crucial if we are to have a fair welfare system that supports people with the additional challenges and costs of living with a disability or health condition. We urge Peers to make sure that their serious concerns about the Bill lead to practical amendments at committee stage and invite them to join us at one of the Hardest Hit events taking place across the UK this October, where disabled people will be speaking out against cuts to the benefits and services they need to live their lives.
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Hardest Hit events this October.
On 22 October, disabled people, their families and friends taking to the streets in cities across the UK protesting against Government cuts to disability benefits and services. Protests are planned in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, Brighton, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, and London. Visit www.hardesthit.org.uk or www.facebook.com/thehardesthit for more information on times and locations.
The Hardest Hit campaign is organised jointly by the Disability Benefits Consortium and the UK Disabled People’s Council.
For case studies, interviews and more information please contact:
Vicki Prout, Mind, Mental Health Charity for England and Wales: v.prout@mind.org.uk, 0208 522 1743 / 07850 788 514
Yashoda Sutton or Emma Mercer, RNIB Media Relations Team: pressoffice@rnib.org.uk, 020 7391 2223, 07968 482812 (out-of-hours)
Vanessa Stevens, Sense, the national deafblind charity: vanessa.stevens@sense.org.uk, 0207 520 0965 / 07770 580 843 (out-of-hours).
Daniel Mazliah, Scope, the disability charity: daniel.mazliah@scope.org.uk; 02076197203, 07843467948 (out-of-hours)
Natalia Kannas, Leonard Cheshire Disability: natalia.kannas@LCDisability.org, 0203 242 0389 / 07903 949 388 (out of hours)
Eleanor Bradstreet, learning disability charity Mencap: Eleanor.Bradstreet@mencap.org.uk, 020 7696 6937 / 07949 857 259
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