We are the Lancaster and Morecombe branch of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) - founded in 2010 to oppose the Conservative government’s welfare cuts and austerity measures, which contributed to an estimated 120,000 deaths.

Now, the Labour government is proposing its own round of welfare cuts - this time targeting disabled people, one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

Labour’s proposal aims to tighten the already strict eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a crucial benefit that helps disabled people cover the extra costs of living with a disability. PIP is not linked to employment status, yet many disabled people who work rely on it to afford essentials like taxis for reduced mobility or support from carers. Without this financial assistance, many will be forced out of work, despite the government claiming these changes are about helping people into employment.

Under the proposed changes, claimants will need at least four points in any category to qualify for PIP at all. This means people with the following challenges will lose their entire benefit, between £74 and £110 a week

• People who need help washing themselves
• People who need support to eat
• People who need help dressing themselves

Even the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) admits that 370,000 people will lose their PIP. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have reported that 31% of disabled people already live in poverty, compared to 21% of non disabled people. This decision will drive an already struggling community into further deprivation.

The government has chosen not to hold a public consultation, silencing those who will be most affected. The increase in PIP claims since COVID-19 is largely due to record NHS waiting lists, which have left many without necessary treatment. If the government truly wants more people in work, providing medical care would be a more humane and effective solution than stripping people of the money they need to survive. These cuts will drive disabled people deeper into poverty and ultimately increase government spending on emergency services like homelessness support.

After 14 punishing years of Conservative rule, we are devastated to see Labour continuing the same cruel policies, punishing the poorest while handing tax breaks to billionaire-owned tech firms.

BUT THIS IS NOT A DONE DEAL! These changes must be voted on in Parliament before they become law.

We, the undersigned, demand that our local MPs - Cat Smith (Lancaster, Labour) and Liz Collinge (Morecambe, Labour) - vote NO to pushing disabled people further into poverty. Vote NO to forcing disabled people out of work. Vote NO to PIP cuts.