Responding to the publication of the bill, Helen Barnard,
Director of policy at Trussell said: “The UK
government's new Universal Credit and PIP bill, put before
Parliament today, does almost nothing to ease the concerns of
hundreds of the thousands of disabled people who fear that their
social security support will be ripped from them. In fact, this
bill will push nearly half a million more people into severe
hardship and towards the doors of food banks.
“It is easy to see why so many MPs have voiced concerns about the
damage this bill will do. What has been published today offers
little for MPs deeply concerned about the impact of these cuts on
their constituents.
“The last minute details on protections offer something for a
small proportion of people, but even they will still see a
real-terms cut. The reality of this bill is still record cuts in
support for disabled people, and the biggest cuts to social
security since 2015.
“It is shocking that MPs are being asked to vote through cuts
without a full assessment of their impact, and especially
worrying as we know that already three in four people referred to
the Trussell community are disabled or live with someone who is.
“We know hunger and hardship already pushes up public service
costs alone by £13.7 billion. MPs are being asked to vote for a
Bill that will drive up hunger and hardship and undermine the UK
government's promises on economic growth and ending the need for
emergency food."
