DWP 'fiasco' could have 'devastating impact on vulnerable people', says Labour MP

SHE IS STAYING IN PARTY TO FIGHT FOR CHANGE FROM WITHIN

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE [e-mail]

A NOTTINGHAM MP says the “complete fiasco” over changes to the welfare system proves why she needs to remain in the Labour Party despite voting against her government.

Nadia Whittome ended up becoming the only Nottinghamshire MP to vote against the Government's plans in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

The Nottingham East MP described the process leading up to the vote as a “complete mess” and a “rushed shambles”.

But although she says the Government’s concessions do not go far enough, she believes they will protect the incomes of many disabled people and that the result would not have been possible for MPs outside Labour to achieve.

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit were the focus of the Government's original plans. PIP is not connected to whether people can work or not, with the aim instead being to help claimants cover additional costs associated with being disabled or long-term sick.

People are assessed against ten different categories to decide whether they are eligible and how much they should get. The Government's original plans would have made it harder for people to score enough points to get PIP.

The Government is also planning to cut weekly Universal Credit payments to £50 from £97.