CELEBRITY supporters of the anti-poverty charity Trussell have expressed opposition to the Government’s proposed profit reforms (Leader comment, 21 March).
Sir Stephen Fry, the actors Stanley Tucci and Brian Cox, and the comedians Aisling Bea and Rosie Jones, are amongst those that have publicly criticised the plans, which were announced last week.
Ms Jones, who has cerebral palsy, said: “Disabled individuals are afraid of what the longer term holds if there are cuts to disability payments, as they’re already not enough to cover life’s essentials.”
The proposals include limiting the factors for which Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will be made for individuals who need support in every day life.
On Wednesday, each the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Leicester expressed concerns in regards to the reforms, and Canon Alice Kemp, who’s a member of the C of E’s Disability Task Group, said that “restricting PIP is a cruel blow for individuals who already experience severe disadvantages within the workplace, in the roles market, and in society more generally” (News, 21 March).
Mr Cox described using foodbanks within the UK as a “stain on this country”. “This government vowed to tackle the necessity for emergency food parcels within the UK, yet this decision risks much more people having to hunt support,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Our reforms will construct a social-security system that’s fairer, more sustainable, and fit for the longer term — so it could possibly all the time be there for those with the best must live with the dignity and support they deserve.
“Helping people into good work is at the guts of our approach to tackling poverty and inequality, however the broken social-security system we inherited is failing individuals who can and have the potential to work, in addition to the people it’s meant to be there for.”
