CELEBRITY supporters of the anti-poverty charity Trussell have expressed opposition to the Government’s proposed benefit reforms (Leader comment, 21 March).
Sir Stephen Fry, the actors Stanley Tucci and Brian Cox, and the comedians Aisling Bea and Rosie Jones, are among those who have publicly criticised the plans, which were announced last week.
Ms Jones, who has cerebral palsy, said: “Disabled people are scared of what the future holds if there are cuts to disability payments, as they are already not enough to cover life’s essentials.”
The proposals include limiting the criteria for which Personal Independence Payments (PIP) can be made for people who need support in daily life.
On Wednesday, both the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Leicester expressed concerns about the reforms, and Canon Alice Kemp, who is a member of the C of E’s Disability Task Group, said that “restricting PIP is a cruel blow for people who already experience severe disadvantages in the workplace, in the jobs market, and in society more generally” (News, 21 March).
Mr Cox described the use of foodbanks in the UK as a “stain on this country”. “This government vowed to tackle the need for emergency food parcels in the UK, yet this decision risks even more people having to seek support,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Our reforms will build a social-security system that’s fairer, more sustainable, and fit for the future — so it can always be there for those with the greatest needs to live with the dignity and support they deserve.
“Helping people into good work is at the heart of our approach to tackling poverty and inequality, but the broken social-security system we inherited is failing people who can and have the potential to work, as well as the people it’s meant to be there for.”
