Handing over the letter to highlight our concerns with the government's flawed benefits bill.
I’d like to thank the over 1,300 people who signed this letter, whose voices we took to the Department for Work and Pensions today. We appreciate the work of Members of Parliament in backing measures designed to support disabled people and our thanks to those who voted against the bill at second reading. - Cath Stanley BEM
The Huntington's Disease Association went to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to formally hand over the letter with our 1375 signatures.
People affected by Huntington’s disease, joined by Huntington’s Disease Association supporters and staff, have gone to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver a letter highlighting the scale of the community’s opposition to the cuts to disability benefits put forward by the government.
The letter was addressed to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP, who is the minister in charge of these reforms. It was hand-delivered to the DWP by the Chief Executive of the Huntington’s Disease Association, Cath Stanley BEM, and signed by 1,300 members of the Huntington’s disease community.
Following the House of Commons voting for the government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at second reading (on Tuesday 1 July) and for ‘concessions’ put forward by ministers, the Huntington's Disease Association is reiterating the flaws in the remaining plans and is urging the government to engage with people who will live with the consequences of its decisions.
Cath Stanley BEM, Chief Executive of the Huntington’s Disease Association, said:
It is welcome that the government have announced that changes to Personal Independence Payment will be ‘coproduced’ with disabled people and we encourage the Department for Work and Pensions to fully engage with communities such as ours to ensure these important voices are not only heard, but listened to. The cut to the Universal Credit health element has been voted through, however, and this would push the poorest disabled people further into poverty. We are calling on ministers to scrap this change as well. Any reforms to the benefits system need genuine engagement with those who need this support the most.
The Huntington's Disease Association have been active since the government announced its original plans to cut disability benefits. This has included a survey of the Huntington’s disease community on the issue, which formed a part of the Huntington’s Disease Association's submission to the government consultation on the cuts.
The Chief Executive of the Huntington’s Disease Association, Cath Stanley BEM, recently wrote to MPs to highlight concerns with the legislation. The Huntington's Disease Association has been working with other charities including the Disability Benefits Consortium, and recently signed a joint letter alongside 85 other civil society organisations calling on MPs to vote against the government’s bill.
We look forward to hearing more on any new proposals.
Campaigning
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