Now meddling UN starts inquiry into UK benefit reform
THE United Nations was under fire last night for sending a Costa Rican human rights lawyer to Britain to investigate ‘absurd’ claims that Government welfare reforms have violated the rights of the disabled.
Catalina Devandas Aguilar is expected to visit the UK in the coming months to spearhead an inquiry into claims that Britain is guilty of ‘grave or systematic violations’ of the rights of the disabled.
The inquiry, by the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, will report on a range of issues, including whether welfare cuts have harmed disabled people. Other members of the committee include representatives from Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia and Thailand.
Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger last night described the inquiry as ‘the most absurd and offensive nonsense’.
He added: ‘We have a proud record in this country for the way we treat disabled people. I am not an expert on disability rights in Costa Rica, but I suspect Miss Devandas Aguilar might be better off focusing her efforts much closer to home. The UN should keep their noses out.’
Fellow Tory MP Philip Davies said the inquiry ‘exposes the UN for the completely useless organisation that it is’.
An inquiry is only ordered where the UN committee believes there is evidence of ‘grave or systematic violations’ of the rights of the disabled.
It is understood Miss Devandas Aguilar is planning to lead a team of inspectors to the UK to talk to campaigners. Bill Scott, director of policy at Inclusion Scotland, a consortium of disability organisations, said he had been contacted by the UN after submitting a report to the Geneva-based committee. He told Scotland’s Herald newspaper: ‘The UN have notified us they will be visiting Britain to investigate, and want to meet us.’ He said that welfare reforms had had an unfair impact on the disabled, adding: ‘It is the cumulative effect that is so serious.’
Disabled people have been affected by a number of welfare reforms in recent years. Campaigners claim they were hit disproportionately by the spare room subsidy – critics say disabled people sometimes need a spare room for a carer or equipment.
Campaigners are also critical of Employment and Support Allowance. Claimants must undergo a test to see if they are capable of work and will have their payments cut by £30 a week to the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance if they are.
Ministers insist the changes have been designed to focus scarce resources on the most needy and encourage those who can work to return to the workplace.
The Department for Work and Pensions has declined to comment on the inquiry, but pointed out that the UK spends around £50billion a year on disabled people and their services. The UK also has stringent equalities legislation.
‘Keep their noses out’