'Unless reversed, the cut will come as a further blow' - Scope comments on ESA debate
Today MPs have voted on a motion that calls on the Government to pause the implementation of reductions in financial support to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)/Universal Credit (work related activity group). Mark Atkinson, chief executive at disability charity Scope, said:
“MPs across the House of Commons have come together and delivered a strong message to Government that they oppose this cut.
“This comes at a time when disabled people are pushing hard to get jobs but the labour market is stacked against them.
“The employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people has remained stubbornly static at nearly 30 percentage points for the past decade. Unless reversed, the cut will come as a further blow.
“Half a million disabled people rely on ESA, and we know they are already struggling to make ends meet.
“The Government has committed to halving the disability employment gap, but reducing disabled people’s financial support by £30 per week is not the answer.”
