As a proud trade unionist, I share the Chancellor’s belief in the importance of well-paid, secure work as a means out of poverty. I welcome the announcements the Government made on supporting people back into employment where possible. However, the cuts announced yesterday appear counter-intuitive and deeply concerning.
The independent impact assessment released yesterday show that these changes will push another 250,000 people into poverty. I cannot support any moves that result in my constituents being left poorer.
The reforms to PIP cannot be painted as supporting people back into work, as many who claim it are already in some form of job. These cuts will only work to undermine this. The truth of it is, life costs more if you are disabled, PIP helps to ensure that many people living with a disability can afford the vital equipment and extra costs that enable many to live a dignified, independent life.
With seven-in-ten PIP claimants living in families in the poorest half of the income distribution, these losses will be heavily concentrated among lower-income households.
On top of this, PIP is a passport for many other vital forms of support, the new requirements will mean many are now not eligible for these. These cuts will not support disabled people into work, they will push disabled people into poverty and further away from the labour market.
It comes with a heavy heart that I have to write this as I am incredibly proud that we have delivered the greatest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, significantly cut NHS waiting times and finally bolstered renters’ rights.
We are putting the work in to make peoples’ lives better after 14 years of Tory austerity ravaged this country. Which is why this move towards what many see as new austerity measures is so worrying. It flies in the face of everything we stand for as a centre-left, social democratic Party.
For all my constituents who have been in touch to express their fears and concerns about these proposed changes, I want to thank you and assure you, as your MP, I will do all I can in opposing any moves by the Government to balance the books on the backs of the working-class. I know many colleagues share the same concerns and will reflect this if these reforms are pushed to a vote.
This Labour Government is less than a year old. I desperately want them to succeed. Sadly, the truth is, life is continuing to get harder for people and not easier. Living standards for many have barely recovered since the financial crash of 2008 whilst the very wealthiest have continued to accumulate vast amounts of wealth and resources.
Politics is about choices, and I strongly urge our Government to listen to our colleagues and constituents, and make the right ones.
Paula Barker
Member of Parliament for Liverpool Wavertree
