The PIP process – “just like a slap in the face” for her constituent, says MP | in Parliament | 30 November 2016

November 30, 2016


Story by Tony Britton

The process of claiming one of the government's disability benefits was “just like a slap in the face” for one of her constituents who has a number of conditions including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, a Labour MP told a debate in Westminster Hall on November 30.

Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth who is the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

“I want mention another one of my constituents, a young woman who is going through the PIP [Personal Independence Payment] process. She was a high-flyer, in a good career, and she is only in her 30s, but she is suffering from Lipedema, Dercum's disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

“She has pain in every part of her body, but particularly in her hands. She cannot even cook or prepare her own food. She has gone through the PIP process and she feels that it is just like a slap in the face.

“She needs that support to enable her to recover, and she feels that she is being thwarted at every turn.”

The MP added, during a debate on Employment and Support Allowance and PIP:

“This is about choices-choices about what we do. It is about whether we as a country feel that it is right to support our most vulnerable people or to support those on the top incomes – which is what the autumn statement analysis shows that we did.

“We on the Opposition choose that we should protect and support the most vulnerable in our society. This is about choice, and I hope that the Government will listen and do something about it.”


LINK TO THE DEBATE: www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2016-11-30a.587.0#g605.0


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