Welfare Benefits Uprating Bill

Richard Hawkes, chief executive of the disability charity Scope, said:

“This bill doesn’t protect disabled people. In fact, it cuts support for the many disabled people who are looking for work.

"Disabled people face massive barriers to finding work – a lack of skills and experience, a shortage of flexible work and attitudes of employers.

“But instead of breaking down barriers, the Government adds to them. The fitness for work test is failing, the Work Programme isn't working and now this.

“A 1% increase in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for the next three years is effectively a cut. This will make it even tougher for disabled people looking for work in this challenging economic environment.”