Chloe Smith MP's Statement on PIP Monday 21st March

I’m grateful to many constituents who have got in touch with me about Personal Independence Payment in the Budget.  As you know, the Government recently published a response to the consultation on aids and appliances and the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, and included savings in the 2016 Budget following this.  As you will also know, the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions resigned on this issue and there are developments in Parliament this week.

I do not support the measures that were announced in this Budget which seek to reduce support for the disabled in this form.

The manifesto on which I stood at the last election made clear that we would spend less on welfare, but that we would do so by protecting the most vulnerable.

I have supported the government’s welfare reforms since 2010 because principally they put work first.  Universal Credit puts work first.  The most recent reform of the rate for those who get Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and can work, puts work first.  In the 21st century we should not be writing people off from work and independence; that policy is right to spend more on helping people if they can work despite disability or a health condition.

Disability spending is going up, that is clear in this Budget.  But I agree with many constituents who just want us to use limited resources to provide properly for those who need it.  I helped constituents record their concerns during the consultation on aids and appliances, and now I intend to oppose the measure in this Budget to make savings from this area without serious further consideration. 

We should protect the disabled and make savings elsewhere in order that the country still lives within its means.

I hope to speak in the Commons on this issue this week, and will follow all developments extremely closely.