Labour MP suggests welfare plans have ‘excluded the voices of disabled people’

A Labour MP has called on the government to win back the “trust” of disabled people after ministers pushed ahead with welfare reforms without any public consultation.

Marie Tidball, the Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said that the voices of disabled people had been “excluded” from the process. 

Tidball revealed that she had been engaging with the government since April, having informed ministers she could not support changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Speaking following a statement from Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, the Labour MP asked: “Why did the Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] choose not to consult with disabled people on PIP proposals, and what will her department do to win back the trust of disabled people?”

Kendall responded: “[Tibdall] is a powerful voice and I know she will always remain that in this House.

“We are absolutely committed to co-producing this PIP review led by [minister] Sir Stephen Timms [alongside disabled people]. She may know we are also setting up collaboration committees on access to work and on pathways to work to make sure we really get this right.”

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