Protests as proposed benefits changes described as “devastating”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Disability campaign groups held a mass protest in London this weekend in protest of proposed changes to the benefits system.

The BBC reports that hundreds of members of campaign groups came together to protest the proposed scrapping of the Disability Living Allowance, which is to be replaced by a new Personal Independence Payments system. Protesters included 15 people in wheelchairs who chained themselves together and blocked traffic for several hours.

The changes in legislation will include upfront medical examinations as well as an increased number of visits from benefit fraud investigators for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. One protester described the changes as “devastating” and claimed that government cuts are already disproportionately affecting the disabled community. A spokesman for UK Uncut has said that the changes are “cruel and unnecessary”, adding that he was committed to halting changes, which “have already led to disabled people taking their own lives”.

These protests come at a time when the government is under heavy criticism from criminal defence solicitors for its increased use of benefit fraud investigators who have no medical training. The proposed changes will undoubtedly increase the number of visits and risks forcing truly sick people back to work.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions has said that the government is “absolutely committed” to helping the disabled and that the changes “will see a simpler and fairer system of support for disabled people”. The legislation has come under fire in the House of Lords and risks being scrapped altogether as support in the Commons dwindles.

If you have been accused of benefit fraud, we can help. David Phillips & Partners have over 25 years experience of being criminal defence solicitors, specialising in providing expert defence in fraud cases of all types, including tax fraud, VAT fraud and white collar fraud.