News story
15th October 2001
MP Challenges Minister Over Threatened Cuts In
Disability Benefits
As Parliament resumed today (Monday) on the first day
after the Summer recess, Northavon MP Steve Webb has
immediately challenged the Secretary of State for Work
and Pensions over plans to cut benefits for disabled
people. Speaking in the House of Commons at departmental
questions, Steve Webb attacked the threat to cut benefits
from disabled people who fail to attend a “work-focused”
interview. Under Government proposals published whilst
Parliament was in recess, new claimants for Incapacity
Benefit who have been proven to be incapable of work will
nonetheless have to have a “work-focused”
interview as a condition of receiving benefit. They will
also have to have further such interviews if they
continue to receive benefit or face sanctions. The Lib
Dem benefits spokesman told the Secretary of State that
if these interviews were in the interests of disabled
people, and if many disabled people genuinely do want
help in getting back to work, it should not be necessary
to “blackmail” disabled people by threatening
to cut their benefit if they do not comply. Responding,
Alistair Darling said that the Government’s policy
did not amount to “blackmail”, but was simply
an attempt to help disabled people.
Commenting, Steve Webb said:
“One of the many unpopular announcements made by the
Government when Parliament was not sitting was the plan
to threaten disabled people with benefit cuts if they do
not attend interviews to talk about work, despite having
proved that they are not fit for work. I am glad to have
had the chance to raise the issue with Ministers at the
earliest opportunity. Whilst disabled people have a right
to advice and support with returning to work, there is no
need for threats from the Government if people decide
that the time is not currently right for them”.
*** ENDS ***
Note to editors: The proposed changes have been opposed
by both main opposition parties and MPs will be seeking a
full debate on the issue in Parliament in the coming
weeks.
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