Labour MPs Take a Public Stand Against the Disability and Health Benefit Cuts

Disability Rights UK and the DPO Forum England organised the photocall ahead of the bills’ first reading, as it is vitally important that MPs demonstrate to their constituents and the Disabled community that they are willing to stand in opposition to these dangerous cuts by voting against them.  

We hope this action will encourage their colleagues, many of whom are still weighing up the decision they need to make to feel emboldened to speak out and oppose the cuts. The photocall coincided with a Westminster Hall debate on the cuts on Tuesday afternoon. 

Key statistics: 

1. These cuts that they will need to vote on over the next few weeks are expected to lead to at least 3.8 million Disabled people losing crucial support, with some set to lose 60% of their income.  

2. The Universal Credit Health changes will be especially cruel at a time when half (50%) of those receiving the Health element are currently either unable to heat their homes, in debt, or cannot afford to eat properly. 

3. The most deprived constituencies will lose nearly three times the amount of the least deprived (£265 per working-age person on average compared to £96) 

Mikey Erhardt, Campaigner, Disability Rights UK, said: 

‘Today’s photocall is a strong demonstration that the government’s minor concessions have failed to convince MPs that these cuts are anything except dangerous, ill-thought-out and needless.  

Despite promising a consultative process, the government is trying to force through a vote on proposals it won’t even share detailed information about. With so many clear unknowns, we don’t think any MP could vote for these cuts with a clear conscience.  

Rather than delivering change, this government is attempting to implement cuts that are even more severe than those of the austerity years. Yet again, Disabled and working-class people who need support are being told you are the problem, you don’t deserve support.’ 

Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East said: 

“With 1 in 10 of my working-age constituents in receipt of these disability benefits, I am concerned that these cuts will further devastate my community after 14 years of brutal austerity by the previous Conservative government. 

“Poverty is a political choice. I will not choose to make my Disabled constituents poorer when we could be choosing to tax the super-rich instead. 

"It's vital that MPs speak out at this time, so the government understands the strength of opposition and goes back to the drawing board." 

Georgia Bondy, Secretariat DPO Forum England, said: 

‘We are glad to see there are MPs who understand just how essential it is to vote against disability benefits cuts for the 24% of the population who are dDsabled. However we need more MPs to join them in stopping this catastrophic legislation if we are to avoid devastation to Disabled people's lives, carers income and local councils financial stability.’ 

Neil Duncan Jordan MP for Poole said:

'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them.

The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won’t create jobs—they’ll only push 3 million people deeper into hardship.

After 14 years of Tory cuts, the benefits system is already driving Disabled people into destitution. Another wave of cuts won’t clean up their mess—it’ll make things worse.

I urge Ministers to pause, withdraw these cuts, and work with Disabled people’s organisations to redesign a fairer benefits system.'

Image for photocard on this website was taken by DAVID MIRZOEFF.