Dame Tanni concerned by tone of debate over welfare reforms and Motability

DISABLED people have been portrayed as "benefit scroungers and a drain on society" in the debate over welfare reforms, Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has said.

- NICK LESTER AND ABBIE LLEWELYN Press Association reporters

The wheelchair racer and independent crossbencher warned there had been "a lot of victim blaming" as she highlighted criticism levelled at the Motability scheme, which entitled eligible individuals to lease a new car using part of their benefit.

The 11-time gold medallist from Cardiff made her comments as the Universal Credit Bill cleared the Lords, having already been through the Commons.

Work and pensions ministers faced calls to ditch the watered-down welfare proposals after they shelved plans to reform the separate personal independence payment (Pip) benefit and vowed to only bring in changes following a review.

As a so-called "money bill" it could not be amended by the upper chamber.

As part of the Bill, the basic universal credit standard allowance will rise at least in line with inflation until 2029/30.

But the health part of the benefit would be reduced for new claimants after April 2026, unless they had a severe or terminal condition, and the rate would be frozen until 2030.

Speaking in the Lords, Lady Grey-Thompson said she had received many emails from people worried about the proposed changes.