The TUC’s assistant general secretary will today warn that government welfare reforms and spending cuts are having a devastating impact on disabled people.
Addressing the TUC’s Disabled Workers’ conference, Kay Carberry will say: “These are profoundly tough times for disabled workers. The government’s austerity drive is destroying jobs and cutting back the public services many rely upon The NHS, social care and mental health support are all suffering real-terms cuts.
“As millionaires get a huge tax cut, disabled people are seeing their benefits callously withdrawn and whittled away. The transition from the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will take a billion pounds out of disabled people’s pockets.
“The move towards Universal Credit, as highlighted by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, will leave nearly half a million disabled recipients worse off.
“The government is destroying disabled people’s right to a decent standard of living, with so many lifelines under sustained attack.”
Highlighting the impact of the government’s policies on disabled people’s ability to work and be independent, Kay will say:
“What really brings this home to me is the devastating impact policies are having on the lives of ordinary disabled people.
“People like 56 year-old David, who is registered blind, suffers significant hearing loss and is a diabetic. If the new criteria for the Disability Living Allowance is approved he will lose a significant proportion of his monthly income.
“David won’t be able to get out as much, he won’t be able to use his computer, and he will be more dependent on his family.
“And think about 28 year-old Siobhan, blind for the past 13 years, and who wants to pursue a career in the media. Her DLA helps her pay for the taxis she depends on to do her volunteer work experience, writing a column for her local paper.
“Siobhan desperately wants to get off benefits and into a full-time paid job, but if her DLA is cut then she simply won’t be able to do this.”
Union News
