Mary Kelly Foy: “These cuts go against everything I believe in…”

Earlier in March, I wrote to the Chancellor expressing concerns about cuts to disability-related benefits. These cuts threaten the livelihoods of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Individuals who’ve already borne the brunt of austerity under 14 years of Tory government, with their needs often overlooked.

There’s no denying the current social security system requires change. However, these changes shouldn’t come at the expense of those who need support the most. The government must focus on creating a system that helps people transition into work, rather than slashing essential services and benefits. To reduce the social security bill, we must invest in education, job training, and better work opportunities – particularly for those facing additional barriers, like people with disabilities.

I support the principle that those who are able to work should, and those who cannot should be protected.

However, this issue is not black and white. Some people can work, but not full time or in certain job sectors due to their disability, so there must be additional support for those who aren’t ‘severely disabled’. That can’t be achieved through cuts. We must find compassionate ways to reform the system, ensuring work capability assessments are fair, that people are treated with dignity, fairness and respect and that we create a society where everyone has the chance to thrive. We need a system that supports people into well-paid, secure, unionised jobs.

The Child Poverty Action Group was vocal in its criticism of the proposed reforms, warning that cuts to disability benefits will push more people into poverty. Even the government’s own impact assessment showed an additional 250,000 people could be plunged into poverty, including 50,000 children. These cuts undermine the government’s own child poverty strategy, making it harder to achieve meaningful progress. For those of us committed to social justice, it’s an unacceptable outcome.

I’m currently liaising with disability charities and advice organisations to arrange a roundtable discussion to agree further representations I can make to ministers. The government must listen to expert organisations and understand the catastrophic impact these decisions will have on so many lives, particularly in regions like the North East where policy changes like these often disproportionately impact people in our region which already suffers high levels of ill-health and child poverty.

After raising my concerns recently with DWP Minister, Liz Kendall MP, she promised to work closely with me so the City of Durham receives the support it deserves. I’ll hold her to that.

The government now stands at a crossroads. It can choose to continue with policies that disproportionately affect those who have the least, or it can make the hard choices necessary to create a fairer, more just society.

We must ensure those in greatest need are protected from the consequences of misguided reforms. These cuts go against everything I believe in when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable – the social security system should help them, not harm them.

I will continue to press government to change course as I can’t support the proposals as they stand.