PM adviser in row over ‘really disabled’ claim
Policy chief accused of dragging Tories into gutter
ONE of the Prime Minister’s closest aides has been urged to apologise as he was accused of dragging the Tories into “the gutter” after defending changes to disability benefits.
George Freeman, who heads Theresa May’s policy unit, suggested personal independence payments (PIP) should go to “the really disabled people who need it” rather than those who are “taking pills at home, who suffer from anxiety”.
He defended Government reforms to PIP, saying they were needed to roll back the “bizarre” decision of a previous tribunal, which said claimants with psychological problems who cannot travel without help must be treated like those who are blind.
The tribunal had also said claimants who need support to take medication should be assessed the same way as those managing therapies such as dialysis at home.
Responding to new Upper Tribunal rulings made on Thursday as Westminster’s attention was on two by-elections, Disabilities Minister Penny Mordaunt said she was reforming the payments to “restore the original aim of the benefit” to make sure the most needy were given support.
Ms Mordaunt said no claimants would see a reduction in the amount of PIP which had been previously awarded.
But Labour said the Government’s equality assessment showed 160,000 would miss out on money that was “rightfully” theirs.
Mr Freeman, the head of the 10 Downing Street policy board, said it was the right decision.
He told Pienaar’s Politics on BBC Radio 5 Live: “These tweaks are actually about rolling back some bizarre decisions by tribunals that now mean benefits are being given to people who are taking pills at home, who suffer from anxiety.
“We want to make sure we get the money to the really disabled people who need it.”
Challenged on his assessment of anxiety, Mr Freeman said: “I totally understand anxiety and so does the Prime Minister. We’ve set out in the mental health strategy how seriously we take it.
“My point was that these PIP reforms are partly about rolling back some frankly bizarre decisions in tribunals which have seen money that should go to the most disabled spent on people with really much conditions.”
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell tweeted: “This is an insult to disabled people. (George Freeman) should apologise immediately or Theresa May should make him.”
In a separate statement, he said Labour would push Chancellor Philip Hammond to reverse the changes in next month’s Budget, arguing they amount to a £3.7 billion cut to benefits.
Mr McDonnell said: “Theresa May has used the cover of the by-elections to sneak out this announcement hurting so many vulnerable disabled people.
“This is a return to the worst politics of spin that so tarnished our politics for so long. It is an act of immense bad faith.”
Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive of disability charity Scope said his comments were “crude,” adding: “It is unhelpful to make crude distinctions between those with physical impairments and mental health issues because the kind of impairment someone has is not a good indicator of the costs they will face.
“Many disabled people will be now be anxiously waiting to hear as to whether or not these tighter rules will affect their current PIP award.”
Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, added: “These comments will only feed into negative perceptions of disability and add to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.” less urgent IT is not yet spring but the fashion world has already moved on to Halloween judging by the latest Dolce & Gabbana winter collection unveiled at the Milan Fashion Show yesterday. Models took to the leopard-print runway to show off the typically flamboyant latest collect from the Italian designers.
Overall, the designs were heavy on royal details like embroidered roses and hearts, tiaras and crowns, as well as lacy dresses, leopard prints, and even robes outfitted with stuffed animal heads. Milan follows on from London Fashion last week.