Capability urges Westminster to listen to Peers

Capability Scotland is urging the Westminster Government to listen to Peers when the Welfare Reform Bill returns to the House of Commons today (1st February).

As part of the Scottish Council on Welfare Reform (SCoWR), Capability has written to Scottish MPs to ask them to uphold six vital amendments that the House of Lords has made to the Bill.

In particular Capability is concerned with the following three which directly affect disabled people:

• The period in which disabled people can receive financial support (Contributory Employment Support Allowance) while they are looking for a job will be extended to two years.
• The Contributory Employment Support Allowance period will become permanent for cancer patients and people with a terminal illness.
• The length of time a person has to wait until they can claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will be reduced from six months to three months.

Capability Scotland, Director of External Affairs, Richard Hamer, commented: "These amendments 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.  Lets hope they don't ignore the House of Lords too."