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MPs back amendment to scrap major remaining cuts in disability Bill
Labour MP for Leeds East, Richard Burgon, speaks during a protest in Whitehall, London, January 18, 2023

MORE than two dozen MPs have backed an amendment to scrap the major remaining cut in the government’s disability cuts Bill and prevent the creation of a “two-tier” welfare system.

The legislation proposes to reduce the universal credit health element for new claimants from £97 per week to just £50 per week — a cut from £423.27 to £217.26 per month.

Estimates say this change would hit over 750,000 low-income sick and disabled individuals hard, with an average annual loss of £3,000 per person.

Labour MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon tabled the amendment on Thursday to prevent this cut from going ahead.

He said: “This cruel and unnecessary halving of the universal credit health element will see £2 billion per year slashed from vital support that sick and disabled people rely on.

“The government needs to scrap this proposal. There should be no two-tier system for disability support.”

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