In defence of the Welfare Bill

The government’s welfare reforms seem to be staggering on, despite the concern from the Lords that they’ll harm those who need help most: children and the disabled. But before the Bill goes back to the Commons, and everyone becomes more agitated, let me put the case for the Bill from the perspective of someone it might affect. 

I have a vested interest in the impending changes to disability benefits, because both my brothers are autistic – one severely so. My family depends on the Disability Living Allowance; caring for my brothers is a full time occupation for both my parents, and without support they simply wouldn’t be able to cope.

So I’ve been watching, with concern, the government’s proposal for the Disability Living Allowance to be transformed into something called a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people over 16 (including both my brothers). To qualify for this, anyone claiming they have a disability will have to be medically examined, even if they were claiming benefits before.