Disability benefits shake-up to take force - and it will affect thousands

[dutchman]

A disability benefits shake-up is set to take full force - affecting thousands of people



A new law on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will go ahead despite fury from charities, Labour MPs and a defeat in the House of Lords.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams was granted an emergency 90-minute debate in the Commons today.

But there was no vote that could actually stop the changes in their tracks.

MPs now leave for their Easter holiday tomorrow - meaning the law is set to reach a 40-day deadline where it automatically passes next week.

Ms Abrahams blasted the government for only scheduling a full vote after that deadline, on April 19.

She conceded: "[The regulations] will not be automatically revoked should the House vote against them on the 19th".

Ms Abrahams told MPs: "What kind of particular arrogance or disregard for democracy is the government revealing?"

Despite the setback she vowed to keep fighting to reverse the law once it takes effect.

"By delaying the debate the government is hoping the objection to these regulations will be kicked into the long grass. It will not," she said.

The new law reverses a tribunal that said 164,000 people who can't leave home without "psychological distress" should get higher benefits.

The government bypassed its own Social Security Advisory Committee - then dismissed the watchdog's call for a further review.

MPs today warned the changes discriminated against the mentally ill.

Tory MP Heidi Allen said: "The courts have given us a loud and clear message today - 'mental health, you’ve got it wrong'.

"And in this age when we are desperately trying to change society and its views on mental health and parity of esteem, we have got to listen to the courts. They have given us a judgement for a reason."

SNP MP Corri Wilson said people had been advised to “turn up dishevelled” and unshaven to PIP assessments to show they were mentally ill.

"This is no way to treat vulnerable people in our society and I am asking the government to reconsider," she said.