WELSH disability campaigners today rejected an invitation to be “glorified door staff” by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a review of disability benefits.

Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru (DPAC Cymru) rejected a direct invitation from the DWP to co-host one of the Westminster government’s reviews into the personal independence payments (PIP).

It was for DPAC to co-host a workshop in Bangor, north Wales.

A DPAC Cymru spokesperson said: “The Timms review has repeatedly failed us as disabled people, and as Welsh people.

“It is not the co-production that was promised to Parliament. What’s needed is an independent review, democratically led by disabled people and our organisations including our trade unions.

“We are not boycotting the review. We want to take part and put our views on the record, even as we protest outside.

“But we will not be there to smile and take people’s coats.”

DWP documents seen by the Star reveal that selected workshop co-hosts would be excluded from “deciding or designing workshop content” or “facilitating discussions during workshops” as these were “out of scope.”

The responsibilities on the day would be for DPAC Cymru to provide additional staff to “welcome participants to the venue and help them settle in,” “set the scene” at the start, and thank participants at the end.

DPAC’s call for an independent review was backed by the Welsh government, which said that the “level of co-production has fallen well short of what disabled people in Wales have a right to expect.”

The Welsh government agreed with DPAC Cymru’s demand for a genuine independent review, led by disabled people and their organisations.

The DWP was asked to comment.