DWP denies claim they considered cuts for wheelchair users in welfare clampdown
The DWP has denied claims they considered including wheelchair users in a welfare clampdown.
The Record was told senior Scottish Labour figures ensured people with mobility problems were spared from the cuts ahead of the original plans being published earlier this year.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall initially proposed around £5bn of cuts to sickness and disability benefits in a bid to get costs under control.
But a major Labour rebellion forced a rethink and the cuts will only apply to future claimants, exempting people currently on benefits.
The crunch vote on the welfare bill takes place this evening.
Part of the savings plan is restricting eligibility for Personal Independent Payment (PIP), which is awarded to people with a disability or mental health condition.
There are two elements to PIP: a daily living part, and a mobility 'payment' for people who need help with getting around.
The Kendall plan will make it harder for new claimants to receive the daily living part of PIP by tightening eligibility through a new points system.
The mobility component is exempt from the changes, but the Record was told including people with walking difficulties was discussed ahead of the announcement in March.
Scottish Labour figures are said to have successfully argued for mobility not to be part of the new system.
However, a DWP spokesperson said: 'We're delivering one of the biggest and most ambitious packages of welfare reforms in a generation to put the system on a sustainable footing and ensure the safety net will always be there for those who need it.'
'Changes to mobility rules were never considered as part of this and we continue to work with devolved administrations to ensure their views are at the heart of what we do, which is why we held Green Paper consultation events in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.'
PIP is devolved to Holyrood, but any cuts will impact on the Scottish Parliament's social security budget.
SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said: 'The parliamentary maths are becoming clear - Scottish Labour MPs now hold the power and have the numbers to stop this bill and stop the Labour Government's attack on disabled people.
'This legislation, which would create a cruel two-tier disability system, is an attack on disabled people and its fate now rests in the hands of Scottish Labour MPs. The choice ahead of those Scottish Labour MPs is simple – they can either support Keir Starmer's cuts or they can support disabled people.
'This is a test of fairness and a test of values – how can any MP vote for a system that means if you have an accident that causes a disability, develop a disability over time or if you have a child with a disability, you will receive less support than those who have come before you.'
Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'The whole premise for these welfare reforms is based on ableist misinformation and a toxic attempt to score political points over Nigel Farage.
' New claimants will still be subjected to the new, harsher assessment regime, and will not receive the benefits they need and deserve."
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