News / Politics
Denyer says ‘cruel cuts will devastate disabled people’s lives’
Bristol’s sole opposition MP says that “cruel and unnecessary” government cuts “will devastate disabled people’s lives”.
It comes as a consultation seeking views on the approaches the government should consider around reform of the health and disability benefits system is due to close on June 30.
Carla Denyer is calling for the government to rethink their plans which could push an estimated 400,000 disabled people into poverty.
is needed now More than ever
The Bristol Central MP has previously highlighted that the government could raise five times more by taxing extreme wealth than it hopes to save through the cuts.
Denyer said: “These cruel and unnecessary cuts to vital support will devastate disabled people’s lives.
“Disabled people rely on these payments not just to do the basics of life like washing, dressing and eating, but also for going to work and participating in their communities.
“I have heard from people in Bristol about how they have already been impacted by this government’s cruel rhetoric about disabled people, and their fears about how the cuts will impact them.”
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Bristol Disability Equality Forum director, Megan Belcher, said: “The impacts of these cuts is wide ranging.
“Disabled people will be at greater risk of abuse, neglect and violence due to having financial independence being taken away from them.
“Cutting disability benefits doesn’t just harm individuals financially; it creates dangerous conditions for Disabled people…
“Whilst the current justification for these cuts is focusing on Disabled people’s motivation to work, many of the cuts that are being suggested are for non-employment related benefits like PIP meaning that cuts will do nothing to encourage people into work.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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