Another 4500 people in Wirral pushed into poverty by Labour.

Rachel Reeves has confirmed exactly how benefits will be changing for millions of claimants as she unveiled her spring statement.

A massive £6.4 billion will be cut from the health and disability benefits bill by 2029/30, analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) shows.

Councillor Helen Raymond commented: ‘The government’s own impact assessment estimates 3.2m families will be affected by the cuts, losing on average £1,720 per year compared to inflation in 2029 and 2030. That is set to plunge 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty by the end of the decade.

‘Labour is no longer the Party that protects the disadvantaged members of society.’

However, while reform of the system is long overdue, the government is wrong to prioritise cutting costs rather than making a detailed and considered judgement about the changes needed.

One example of many where reform is needed is that, with PIPs scoring system, aids = points = benefits. This means that, for example, a person with hearing and back problems who needs a hearing aid, grab rails for shower / raised toilet seat and a perch stool in the kitchen currently qualifies for the standard rate care PIP, potentially forever. But, in reality, all they needed was to be supplied with these various aids!

Councillor Raymond said, ‘Lib Dems want to see the numbers requiring benefits reduce in the medium term. This can be done through NHS reform, better health education and making the choice of a healthy lifestyle easier and cheaper. This will enable the millions who do have serious health conditions to receive the benefits they deserve.’