For Immediate Release – Monday 11 October 2010
Attn: NEWS DESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
Commenting as the coalition government’s new regime of medical testing
aimed at taking people off incapacity benefit gets underway today with
trials Aberdeen, Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart said
decisions on benefits entitlement must be based on medical evidence.
Mr Wishart said:
“After trialling the Poll Tax in Scotland the Tories and their LibDem
partners are now trialling welfare cuts here which will hit the most
vulnerable hardest.
“Reform of the benefits system is both overdue and necessary but the
Coalition Government’s plan looks increasingly like an assault on the
ill and disabled, with Tory and Liberal Ministers competing with each
other over who can cut the most from the benefits budget.
“We must not have cuts for the sake of cuts. Not only would that risk
forcing the truly vulnerable in society into a perilous position, it
also takes vital capital out of the economy without consideration of
the impact.
“While reform is necessary, it must be done carefully and decisions on
entitlements based on medical need – not government spin.”
ENDS
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