Cllr Hannah Matin’s perspective on Labour’s Disability cuts

It’s no secret that disability benefits are a lifeline to those with disabilities and long-term conditions.

There are often added costs involved in day-to-day living, including incredibly high energy bills (the keep the lights bright for those with sight impairments, to keep the heating up to manage health conditions, and to run energy intensive medical equipment); additional costly private medical appointments to ensure we get the care we need when we need it; the need for more taxis to be able to get around; the higher cost of food for those with long term gastro conditions; other specialised expensive equipment dependent on the condition; the list goes on.

There are individuals who are unable to work through no fault of their own, there are individuals who can only work limited hours as it’s too much of a strain on their body. Even with those who are working full-time are often not on high incomes – so it would be tough to get by in a cost of living crisis, even without these extra expenses. 

I have learned from both my personal experiences of the welfare system, and as a councillor helping others access support, that the system often feels like it is working against us, when it should be working with us.

A lot of people would agree that the application and assessment processes can almost feel like the process is trying to find reasons to not give someone financial help.

It can be incredibly anxiety inducing, leaving vulnerable individuals feeling worried about whether they will say or do the wrong thing and then not be able to get the financial support they really need.

That is not OK.

We need a compassionate system that sees everyone as an individual, taking into account their unique situation – not a bureaucratic one which tries to force people into boxes.  

Of course, the system should work with disabled people to see what opportunities there are for them to join or rejoin the world of work, if they are able to. But that requires a welfare system that truly reflects the notion of working with those with disabilities and health conditions. A system that treats them as individuals – rather than simply taking money away because they don’t meet a new arbitrary threshold in the scoring system.

In addition to this, the government needs to do more to ensure those with disabilities are better supported into work, better able to secure roles they want to do — and that they have greater protection for the right to work flexibly. The world of work can be quite rigid, and this can be very difficult for someone who has good days and bad days with their disability or health condition, ongoing medical appointments and so on.

The job market is hard enough for everyone, but even more so for individuals with disabilities and health conditions, and this can’t be ignored.  

Ultimately, yes the welfare system requires reform, but this needs to be done carefully over a long period of time. It should be done by listening to disability charities, healthcare professionals, and most importantly to disabled people themselves.

It is not something that should be done on a whim by the government just because they need to balance the books – it is far too complex, and the cost of getting it wrong far too great.

There are huge challenges in reforming the welfare system – especially with everything going on today.  But it is precisely because there are big challenges that this cannot be done in a rush.

This is becoming a pattern with this government: they are told they don’t have enough money, and so they rush out poorly thought through policies which work on paper but do not reflect the realities on the ground.

First it was those on benefits with 2 children – Labour refused to lift the cap.  Then it was the pensioners losing their winter fuel payments.  Next up were family farmers struggling to make ends meet.  Now it is disabled people.

Who will Labour come for next?

And none of this accounts for the changes made by our own Labour-run council – raising council tax to the maximum, again, while cutting council tax support. Some of you who are being hit by these national cuts, are also simultaneously being asked to pay more locally.

There has to be a better way. 

Liberal Democrats know that change is needed – we don’t shy away from that. We’ve been saying all along we should be increasing taxes on the big banks, oil and gas, gambling companies, tech giants – the businesses who make billions in profits every year. But Labour refuse to do this. We are also fighting for a better deal with the EU to unlock growth and yet strengthen our country’s finances for the long run.

Whatever happens next, the Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for those who are collateral damage in Labour’s poorly thought through attempts to balance the books. We will continue to fight for a fair deal in Brent, and across the country.

And meanwhile if you are affected by this and need any support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at Cllr.Hannah.Matin@Brent.gov.uk