Epsom & Ewell MP backs Lib Dem amendment to controversial Welfare Bill to protect carers from “senseless” cuts

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, has backed the party’s amendment to the Government’s controversial Welfare Bill, in a bid to protect carers at risk of losing support from the planned cuts.

The Government’s own estimates say that 150,000 unpaid carers would lose Carers Allowance as a result of the proposed cuts contained in the legislation. It would act as a double whammy for these households, as these carers lose their Carers Allowance as a result of the loved one that they care for losing their Personal Independence Payments due to the reforms.

The party has said the Government’s plans to strip away Carers Allowance would be a ‘false economy’, as carers becoming financially unable to look after their loved ones would increase pressure on the NHS, social care and local government services. The Lib Dems have instead said that the best way to get the welfare bill down is by addressing the crisis in the NHS and social care, to get people off waiting lists and back into work.

Helen Maguire MP urged the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, to “change course” in order to stop these reforms pushing a further 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty according to the Government’s own assessment.

On Monday (June 23), in Work and Pensions Questions, Helen Maguire also shared the concerns of one constituent about the Government’s proposed welfare cut - Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Her constituent, who has epilepsy, claimed she is worried that the Government views PIP as a ‘pity payment, rather than a benefit designed to offset the extra costs of disability’.

If passed, the Liberal Democrat amendment would stop the bill from becoming law in order to protect thousands of unpaid carers and people living with a disability, including constituents in Epsom & Ewell, from falling victim to these cuts. 

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire said:

“The Government needs to urgently change course and scrap these damaging cuts. I have heard from countless constituents deeply worried that they will lose out on vital support, which provides a lifeline, by helping them to work and live more independently.

“The Conservatives made a complete mess of our welfare system, but the Labour Government’s proposed plans to cut support for disabled people and those who care for them is simply not the answer - and more than 100 Labour MPs agree.

“Unpaid carers do incredible work, often under the most challenging of circumstances to help their loved ones. This takes huge pressures off our health services.

“We need to offer them more support, not less, and that is why I am proud to have signed this Liberal Democrat amendment to the Government’s misguided reforms that would protect carers and countless people here in Epsom & Ewell from these senseless and cruel cuts.”