LIBDEMS DEFEND ‘CALLOUS’ MOBILITY CUT FOR DISABLED

SCOTTISH SECRETARY UNAWARE HOW MANY AFFECTED BY WELFARE CHANGES

The Liberal Democrats have been branded ‘callous’ over welfare reforms, after Scottish Secretary Michael Moore admitted he had no idea how many people in Scotland would be affected by welfare changes, and LibDem President Malcolm Bruce defended the removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) from people living in residential care.

A transcript of exchanges on BBC Newsnight are detailed below in which Mr Moore, on being asked how many people in Scotland would be affected by changes to the Employment Support Allowance said “We don’t have that figure.”

LibDem President Malcolm Bruce also defended the removal of the mobility component of DLA which allows disabled people to hire or lease a mobility car at an affordable price, or use a taxi to get out and about.

Commenting, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“It is frankly shocking that the Secretary of State for Scotland is unaware how many people in Scotland will be affected by his party’s welfare cuts, and that the LibDems president is defending a callous mobility cut which will hit disabled people.

“It is no wonder the Treasury got their figures wrong about how deep their cuts are in Scotland when they can’t even say how many people will be affected by their welfare cuts.

“Removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance from people in residential care is one of the cruelest cuts within the CSR, and one which will hit disabled people specifically. This is a lifeline allowance which gives people, including children at residential special schools, some independence.

“Few residential facilities provide free transport, and the component is used so that, for example, disabled people can get a taxi for essential hospital appointments, go shopping, or even just meet friends and take part in activities in their community.

“Removing this allowance is a hammer blow to people’s independence as well as their pockets. It will effectively mean some people can no longer get out and about and will be confined to their residential care home.

“Nobody doubts that welfare reform is necessary, but this cut by the Tories and Liberal Democrats is totally unfair and will impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in society.”

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REMOVAL OF MOBILITY ALLOWANCE BRANDED CRUELLEST CUT

Responding to welfare reforms within the CSR, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP has branded the removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) from people living in residential care as one of the coalition's cruellest cuts.

At the moment the component is paid at two levels, lower at £18.95 or higher at £49.85 per week. Higher rate mobility component can, currently, be used for disabled individuals to hire or lease a mobility car at an affordable price.

Dr Whiteford said:

"Removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance from people in residential care is one of the cruellest cuts within the CSR, and one which will hit disabled people specifically.

"We are talking about a lifeline payment which gives people, including children at residential special schools, some independence.

"Few residential facilities provide free transport, and the component is used so that, for example, disabled people can get a taxi for essential hospital appointments, go shopping, or even just meet friends and take part in activities in their community.

"Removing this allowance is a hammer blow to people's independence as well as their pockets. It will effectively mean some people can no longer get out and about and will be confined to their residential care home.

"George Osborne needs to say whether disabled people in residential homes will now have to hand back the keys of their motability cars.

"Nobody doubts that welfare reform is necessary, but this cut by the Tories and Liberal Democrats is totally unfair and will impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in society."

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WHITEFORD CONCERNS OVER POSTAL PRIVATISATION

LIB-DEMS SELL-OUT OVER SELL-OFF

Commenting on publication today (Wednesday) of the Postal Services Bill, Banff & Buchan SNP MP Eilidh Whiteford expressed concern at the absence of an upper limit on how much of Royal Mail could be sold off to a private company.

Overseas firms will be among those allowed to buy 90% of the Royal Mail, with 10% going in shares to postal workers.

Speaking from Westminster, Dr Whiteford said:

“We can now see in black and white just how far the Tories and Liberal Democrats are prepared to go, with no upper limit on how much of the business can be sold-off. Even Lord Mandelson offered to insert a legislative guarantee that only 33% could be privatised.

“After following the lead of the previous Labour Government and spending months of running-down Royal Mail, Vince Cable is now talking it up in the hope of flogging it off. The wording of any prospectus should be interesting.

“The truth of the matter is that the present state of the Royal Mail has arisen because successive governments have taken money out of the company rather than investing it back into the system.

“If the company is sold off it is inconceivable that there will not be increased pressure on the Universal Service Obligation. Vince Cable has already indicated that he is prepared to reduce the six day a week service.

“The maintenance of a comprehensive mail delivery service is essential for areas like Banff & Buchan and that could best be achieved by keeping the company in public ownership. We have already seen the chaos that has overtaken the Post Office network by the rush to "liberalisation".

“A similar situation could devastate mail delivery services. The report recommending part privatisation also suggests that local sorting centres could be closed.

“Royal Mail is a vital public service and the maintenance of the universal service obligation is essential for communities and small businesses throughout Scotland. Many small businesses rely on Royal Mail and any threat to it could be disastrous at a time of recession when it is essential to support small local businesses.

"It is clear that Royal Mail requires investment, but that should be public investment for the future and to ensure a universal service.”

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MP’s PRAISE FOR WILLOWBANK PERFORMERS

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has praised the performers who took part in the Willowbank Centre’s production of ‘The Hoose’ which took place at Peterhead Community Theatre over two days.

Dr Whiteford was part of the audience for Thursday evening’s performance which told the story down through the centuries of the buildings in Peterhead’s Threadneedle Street which are currently being renovated to provide supported accommodation. The performance was supported by the National Trust for Scotland, which is involved in the refurbishment project and involved residents, friends and staff of Willowbank.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

“This was a terrific performance by everyone involved which really brought the history of Peterhead to life for all those lucky enough to get to see it.

“It was a truly inspired way to celebrate the provision of the new supported accommodation at Threadneedle Street while at the same time reminding us of the history of Peterhead and some of the characters within it.

“My congratulations go to all those involved both on stage and behind the scenes for a very enjoyable evening.”

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