Disabled People in Poverty Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Work and Pensions
Edward Morello
Main Page: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)Department Debates - View all Edward Morello's debates with the Department for Work and Pensions
(1 day, 13 hours ago)
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Edward Morello (West Dorset) (LD)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Jardine. I congratulate the hon. Member for Poole (Neil Duncan-Jordan), my colleague from Dorset, on securing this important debate. I will attempt to edit my speech as I go along to buy back some time.
Ensuring fairness starts with recognising those who need support the most. The foundation of real support is ensuring that help reaches those who face the greatest challenges. The additional costs of disability—mobility aids, home adaptations, specialist care, heating and travel—add up and are all substantial. Scope estimates that disabled households need an extra £1,010 per month to achieve the same standard of living as a non-disabled household. Nearly 4,800 people in my constituency receive personal independence payments, of whom 40% receive the highest level of support.
Adam Dance (Yeovil) (LD)
One of the most common reasons why people claim PIP in Yeovil is poor mental health. Does my hon. Friend agree that to support vulnerable people’s mental wellbeing, the Government must urgently change course on the proposed cuts to PIP and introduce proper staff and accessible mental health hubs in every rural community?
Edward Morello
I absolutely agree. The costs for disabled people who live in rural areas include more expensive journeys to access healthcare, unreliable and sparse public transport, and higher energy bills for heating homes that are often older and less efficient.
Hundreds of my constituents have expressed their concerns to me over the last few months, and I have retold some of their stories in this Chamber. Each one represents a wider failure. The Government’s own analysis shows that the proposed changes to PIP will push 300,000 people into poverty. About 150,000 carers stand to lose carers allowance due to the knock-on effect of losing PIP eligibility, harming those who care for the most vulnerable. I urge the Government to change course.
Several hon. Members rose—