Jonathan Ashworth responds to IFS research into disability benefits

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) into disability benefits which has found that, on average, claimants are now waiting about five months between applying for benefits and receiving them, said:

“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, it is unacceptable that disabled people are being made to wait an average of five months to receive vital social security.

“Labour has repeatedly warned the Government over the soaring backlog of PIP claims. Yet there is still a backlog of 330,000 – 70,000 higher than it was at the start of last year.

“Ministers must urgently get a grip before even more disabled people are pushed into poverty and hardship under the Tories’ 'Backlog Britain'.”