Liz Kendall rejects calls to delay the changes until a full assessment is carried out of the impact on employment, poverty and health.
The government has told MPs it will not back down from its controversial reforms to disability benefits, which are set to be introduced to parliament later this month.
More than 100 Labour MPs are thought to have concerns about the plans to cut nearly £5bn from the welfare bill by restricting personal independence payments (PIP) and the health top-up to Universal Credit.
Charities say the changes will have a “catastrophic” effect on vulnerable people.
The chair of the Commons’ Work and Pensions Committee wrote to the secretary of state, Liz Kendall, last month, calling on the government to delay the changes until a full assessment is carried out of the impact on employment, poverty and health.
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams wrote that while there was a case for reform to disability benefits, “the evidence indicated [these changes] might not improve outcomes for most claimants, but instead push many into poverty and further away from the labour market”.
‘Reforms are needed now’
But Ms Kendall has written back, in a letter made public on Wednesday, to reject the idea because the bill needs final approval from parliament in November in order for the changes to take effect in 2026.
…
Article continues at https://news.sky.com/story/work-and-pensions-secretary-tells-mps-controversial-disability-benefit-reforms-will-go-ahead-next-year-13382300
