Shadow Minister’s response to Ian Duncan Smiths speech about disability benefits

Kate Green MP, Labour’s Shadow Minster for Disabled People, speaking ahead of Iain Duncan Smith’s speech this morning, said:

“In the last Parliament the Tories overspent by £8.7 billion on incapacity benefit, and their disastrous Work Capability Assessment has been plagued with problems with contractors, poor assessments, and costly appeals.

“Ministers need to focus on providing tailored support for disabled people who can work in order to help them do so. Cutting the benefits of those who aren’t able to work, such as those with Parkinson’s or Cancer, is punishing sick and disabled people for the Government’s own failures.”