Strong opposition to cuts to disabled children’s benefits
The country is sending a strong message to the Prime Minister that targeting cuts at families with disabled children is unacceptable
13th December 2011
Government narrowly avoids losing vote
Last night (12th December), the House of Lords voted on whether a 50% cut to disabled children’s benefits should go ahead. Peers from across the house spoke against the cut and supported the amendment put down by Ex -Paralympian Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson amongst others. In the last 24 hours over 1700 families with disabled children have joined Peers in opposing this cut by writing to the Prime Minister calling on the Government not to target cuts at disabled children.
During debates on the Welfare Reform Bill, Peers from across the House of Lords voted for an amendment to overturn a proposed 50% cut to disability benefits. In the final count, the Government nearly lost the vote – pushing the proposals through with a tiny margin of 2 votes.
Over the last 24 hours, over 1700 families with disabled children and supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign have written to the Prime Minister David Cameron expressing their concern that this cut is going ahead. They have asked him to give families some good news for Christmas by reversing plans to target welfare cuts on disabled children.
Srabani Sen, EDCM Board Member said:
“The country is sending a strong message to the Prime Minister that targeting cuts at families with disabled children is unacceptable. The Government narrowly avoided losing a vote on this issue last night because they have not adequately responded to the concerns that have been raised on the impact of this cut. We are calling on the Government to think again about this cut and to see how they can continue to provide this vital financial support to families with disabled children.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
- Every Disabled Child Matters is the national campaign to get rights and justice for every disabled child. It is run by four leading organisations working with disabled children and their families: Contact a Family, Council for Disabled Children, Mencap and the Special Educational Consortium. Find out more at www.edcm.org.uk
- The transcript of the debate and vote in the house of Lords can be viewed here
- EDCM’s supporter action emailing the prime minister asking for him to think again about cuts to families with disabled children can be viewed here
http://www.edcm.org.uk/news/press-releases-2011/13-dec-11-strong-reaction.aspx