Swann backs amendment to stop welfare cuts

Robin Swann MP has backed Dame Meg Hillier MP’s reasoned amendment which declines a second reading to the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill.

The amendment says:

“That this House, whilst noting the need for the reform of the social security system, and agreeing with the Government’s principles for providing support to people into work and protecting people who cannot work, declines to give a Second Reading to the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill.”

On his decision to back the amendment and oppose the cuts, Mr Swann said:

“Drawing a red line through elements of the social security safety net does not result in a health improvement for those impacted. Those losing their PIP award still require the assistance with daily care they received the benefit for needing. Those who qualify for carers allowance by providing 35hrs of care per week will still need to provide the same level of care, only now they must work as well. 

“The greatest driver of health inequality is poverty, and these proposed changes magnify that negative impact creating a greater burden on the health sector. These changes will drive homelessness, they will remove the life chances of children forced to give up education at 16 to work to support parents will long term illness having spent much of their childhood as carers.

“The system needs reform, but it must start from first principles of no-one being left behind. Do it right, start with blank sheet and design a better system, taking a red pen to a failed system doesn't make it better.”