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ITV News

Police were called after disability campaigners were refused entry to consultation on benefit reform

ITV Granada's Elaine Willcox reports on protests in Manchester over government plans to reform PIP benefits. Protests have taken place at a meeting in Manchester to discuss government proposals on benefits reform. Protestors gathered at Angel Meadow Park in the city centre this morning at the invite-only consultation on the DWP Green paper on Pathways to Work. The organisation Disabled People Against Cuts organised the protest at the meeting over fears that benefits for disabled people will be cut back, at a time when the cost of living is on the rise. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced the cuts earlier this year, mostly from a reduction in support for those on incapacity or disability benefits. Three million people are expected to be impacted by the savings. Musician Dennis Queen relies on Personal Independence Payments and says, "The question is 'Can any of you afford to lose a third of your income?' The answer to which is 'no'." "They don't need to come round the country, holding meetings, asking anyone 'Can you afford to lose a big chunk of your income'." Protestors were unable to get into the meeting and police were called. It's understood that just 20 tickets were issued to the meeting and dozens of disabled people were turned away, which Amnesty International, who attended the protest, labelled a violation of people's rights. Amnesty's Jen Clark says, "Look at what's happening today, they're asking to be let in and have a say, and they're being refused entry." "You know this isn't OK." "We've written to the Secretary of State alongside them saying exactly that." But the government say they need to save £5 billion, pledging support but saying that the system as it is, can't continue. "When it relates to sickness benefit for Universal Credit and PIP, where almost one in ten people are receiving it, we've got to make sure that it's going to the people who really need it and deserve it more," says Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. He adds, "So it is difficult, but we've got to look at how that system is working because it's not sustainable at the minute."