The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has weighed in on the government’s controversial welfare reforms.
Plans to save £4.8 billion by 2030 were tabled by the government’s secretary of state for work and pensions. The proposals included the tightening of criteria for personal independence payments (PIP), a welfare benefit designed to help those of working age cover their costs of living.
But the original cuts caused a large-scale rebellion among the governing Labour Party. Some 126 Labour MPs had previously signed a “reasoned amendment” to the bill, proposed by treasure committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier.
Causing division among the country’s largest political party, one of the leading rebels has been York Central’s Rachael Maskell – who put forward a second amendment rejecting the bill, with the backing of 138 disability groups.
Her amendment has been signed by 39 Labour MPs.
In an attempt to soften the rebellion, the Government last week reduced the impact of its changes to protect some 370,000 existing PIP claimants who had been set to lose out following reassessment.
The House of Commons is expected to vote on the bill at around 7pm today (July 1).
Despite not being able to vote in parliament, prominent Labour politician and York and North Yorkshire Mayor has also spoken out against the government.
“There is undoubtedly a case to be made that reform of the benefits system is needed – but it should not be done on the backs of disabled people,” he told The Press.
“Cutting support for those who need it most is the wrong way to drive change.”
Mr Skaith’s statement joins the sentiment of fellow mayor – Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham – in criticising the proposals.
He added: “I hear the message from disabled people, campaigners and activists across York and North Yorkshire who, since this decision was made, have shared their fears and experiences with me.
“These cuts will take tens of millions of pounds out of our local economy, hit the most vulnerable hardest and undermine our efforts to support people into work or help them stay there.”
York Central MP Rachel Maskell said that many more backbenchers than the 39 who put their names to her amendment had told her they plan to reject the Government’s package of reforms.
She said she had no fear in voting down the bill and felt a “moral duty” to “speak up for” disabled people.
“Yes, I support getting disabled people into work where they’ve been discriminated and dismissed, of course that’s important, but when those people can’t work or need longer to prepare for work, it is vital we don’t remove their lifeline,” she said.
“Or else they’ll disappear further and further into the margins.”
York Outer MP Luke Charters has been approached for comment. We will publish his response.
