WARRINGTON based disability campaigner Dave Thompson says proposed changes to disability benefits announced in the budget will increase “anxiety and fear” for those who have a disability or long term health condition.
Mr Thompson MBE DL, Chief Executive of the Warrington Disability Partnership said: “I feel that the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) announced in this week’s Budget will increase anxiety and fear in hundreds of thousands of people who have a disability or long-term health condition. Whilst at the same time the health and social care services that once served as the bedrock of Britain’s welfare state are being outstretched due to frozen budgets which with increased demand, result in effects equal to funding cuts”.
“At a time when the criteria for support are being raised, PIP provides the option for people to purchase their own aids and support, without PIP many will struggle to stay independent”.
Dave said he feels “PIP provides a valuable lifeline to bridging the additional cost to living with a disability, without it many people will spiral into greater need. Access to PIP needs improving, not restricting further.
“Thanks to a partnership led by the Council, Warrington was well prepared for the Welfare Reforms but we haven’t been able to avoid problems relating to how PIP is being implemented, including complicated assessments, wrong decisions and long-winded appeals”.
Dave added: “During the past few years we have seen a significant reduction in disabled people volunteering, many people we have spoken with state fear of being seen to be ‘fit for work’ as the reason”.
“Like many charities we have seen cuts in grants, and an increase in the number of charities chasing public donations. But it’s at times like this that the need for our services will increase, not just for disabled people directly, but also for our partners in health and social care as they look for support”. 
Meanwhile Warrington South MP David Mowat, who has been an active supporter of Warrington Disability Partnership said:”From 2017, anyone making a new claim for Employment Support Allowance, who has been assessed as being in the Work-Related Activity Group (ie. they could return to some form of work with the right help and support) will receive the same amount as if they had made a claim for JobSeeker’s Allowance. No one currently claiming ESA will lose a single penny as a result of this change.
“Anyone who is assessed as being in the Support Group category of ESA (ie. there is no realistic prospect of them returning to work) will be unaffected by these changes. More than 70% of current ESA claimants receive Support Group payments.
“Total spending on disabled people is set to rise over the course of this Parliament – with a new £60m fund from 2017 to assist those in the Work-Related Activity Group to move back into work. I and other MPs will be holding the Government to account to see that this is achieved.”
Warrington Disability Partnership can be contacted via telephone on 01925 240064 or visit their website at www.disabilitypartnership.org.uk
