Standing Up Against the Government’s Unfair Welfare Cuts

Today in Parliament, I stood up to oppose the Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. I did so because the Bill will leave far too many people in our community worse off — disabled people, unpaid carers, children, and some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

I have heard directly from hundreds of my constituents about their fears: people like Amy, who lives with ME and was left without vital support after her PIP was wrongly withdrawn, and Joan, who faces months of delays for adjustments to help her work while managing a serious illness. These stories are far from unique, and they show the real-world harm this Bill could cause if rushed through Parliament.

Despite some last-minute changes, the Bill still removes essential help with day-to-day activities for people who cannot work due to serious illness or disability, and it strips away Carer’s Allowance from around 150,000 unpaid carers. That is a shameful attack on those who selflessly care for their loved ones, often saving the NHS and social care system millions.

It is clear that welfare spending is high, but if the Government was truly serious about reducing it, they would fix our broken health and social care systems and tackle chronic ill-health at its root. Instead, this Bill cuts support without addressing why so many people need it in the first place.

Even the Government’s own figures show their plans will push an extra 250,000 people — including 50,000 children — into poverty by 2029. That is utterly unacceptable.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a fair, compassionate, evidence-based approach to welfare reform. We would protect the dignity and independence of disabled people and unpaid carers, while tackling the underlying causes of rising welfare costs. That means properly investing in health and social care, improving mental health support, and helping people cut their bills through free insulation and a social energy tariff.

I have signed the Liberal Democrat amendment setting out why we cannot support this Bill. I will continue fighting to protect those most in need — because a fair society is one that supports, not punishes, its most vulnerable.

You can watch my full speech below: