Capability condemns Westminster for Welfare Reform amendments vote

Capability Scotland has condemned the Westminster Government's decision in the House of Commons yesterday to vote down all the amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill proposed by the House of Lords.

Six vital amendments were sent to the Commons by the House of Lords in hope they would become a permanent part of the controversial Welfare Reform Bill. The amendments would have provided much needed relief from some of the more severe clauses of the Bill which significantly affect disabled people.

In particular Capability was concerned with the extension of the period in which disabled people can receive financial support, the indefinite access to Contributory Employment Support Allowance for cancer patients and people with a terminal illness and the removal of a provision which would reduce the amount of Housing Benefit paid to people with one or more extra bedrooms.

However all of the amendments have now been removed by the House of Commons, causing widespread anger amongst disabled people, peers and the voluntary sector.

In some cases (such as with qualification period for ESA and benefits cap) the House of Commons' vote to remove the amendments will be final and the Lords will be prevented from resubmitting similar amendments when the Bill returns to them in the coming days. This is because the UK Government has decided to enforce a constitutional rule which gives them the final say on amendments that will have a large impact on public spending. This privilege is generally only used in relation to the Budget and the annual Finance Bill and many feel the Government is acting irresponsibly by using it in relation to welfare reform.

The Bill will have to go back to the Lords again for their final agreement and Capability will be urging them to push for those amendment they still have the authority to make.

Capability Scotland, Director of External Affairs, Richard Hamer, commented: "These amendments were very important and could be the difference between a family being able to heat their home and put food on the table and complete financial devastation.  Unfortunately the UK Government does not have a great track record on listening when it comes to Welfare Reform.  They have ignored the voices of disabled people and disability organisations from across the country and now they have ignored the House of Lords too."