Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott, has called on the UK Government to re-think the planned cuts to the Employment Support Allowance Work Related Activity Component, a benefit paid to people with limited capacity to work.
Mr Elliott supported a motionbrought to the House of Commons today which called on the Government to use the Autumn Statement as an opportunity to postpone the cuts until appropriate alternative measures are put in place.
The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP said:
“The proposed cuts to the Employment Support Allowance Work Related Activity Component are deeply unfair.
“The cuts, if they go ahead, will remove £30 per week from people who are sick and disabled.
“These are people who have been through a work capability assessment, and judged to have their capacity to work limited because of sickness or disability.
“While there may be some crumb of comfort that only new claimants will be affected, the situation is still unacceptable.
“No-one would disagree that we should be doing all that we can to get people back to work, however what people need is practical support, not their benefits removed.
“I therefore call on the Government to have a serious re-think on this issue, and examine other more positive ways we can help the sick and disabled into work.”
ENDS