Connarty Tackles Minister On Disability Cuts.

Michael Connarty has launched a scathing attack on disability benefit cuts.

CONNARTY TACKLES MINISTER ON DISABILITY BENEFIT CUTS, BUT NO CHANGE OF HEART FROM GOVERNMENT.

Today in the House of Commons, Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP, Michael Connarty challenged Scotland Minister, David Mundell on the government’s proposal to cut disability benefit for people living in residential care homes.

“I cite the cases of two families in my constituency, one with a young man born with fragile x syndrome and autism and another with an outstanding young teacher struck down by a massive stroke. They both require 24 hour residential care. If benefits for those in residential care are cut, the quality of their lives will suffer irreparable damage and become something like a prison sentence.

“Will the Secretary of State fight alongside the people of Scotland to overturn this vicious proposal?”

In reply, the Conservative Junior Minister, David Mundell said, “The fundamental issue is that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not fit for purpose. It needs changing, and we are taking forward change.”

The exchange took place at Scotland Office Questions, when Michael Connarty began by asking the Minister what he thought would be the likely effect on families in Scotland of the changes to benefits proposed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. David Mundell gave no answer at all to this question.

Speaking afterwards, Michael Connarty said, “At first the Minister did not seem to even recognise the issue I raised. It’s a huge issue which affects the daily lives of everyone living in a care home. Disabled people and their families right across Scotland will be enraged that the government is so out of touch that it is ploughing on with this cruel and heartless proposal.

“Michael Moore, the Liberal Democrat Secretary of State tried to duck the issue today, but there there is something sad and distasteful about a Liberal Democrat Secretary of State doing the Tories dirty work in Scotland. Rather than fighting alongside the people of Scotland, he would rather huddle in his ministerial Mondeo as it carries him to oblivion."