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Byrne: Government plans will hurt cancer patients and disabled children

February 1, 2012 10:05 am

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Speaking before the return of the Welfare Reform Bill to the commons today, shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne attacked the government, accusing them of “snatching away” support from cancer patients and disabled children:

“We are determined to stop a Government which seems hell-bent on snatching away support from cancer patients and children with disabilities.”

“We believe welfare to work needs jobs – and this bill doesn’t create a single one. Instead it cuts support for people trying to do the right thing like mums trying to go back to work and families trying to save, and quite frankly it crosses a line of basic British decency.”

“This Government now seems relaxed about giving giant bonuses for bankers but resolute about axing help for cancer patients and disabled children. That tells you everything you need to know about their values.”

  • Anonymous

    I spent an hour looking at Hansard and this idiot idea, if even their was a person sitting on the wrong side of the house it’s this one. I cannot be bothered to answer this crap, I really cannot

  • Anonymous

    Byrne is changing his tune, but before he becomes too self-righteous, let us not forget that, under our “Labour” government we had reports of people suffering terminal cancer refused ESA, thanks to the Freud/Purnell reforms.

    • Anonymous

      Do not get me going on it, before I gave up helping at a local well known charity, we had a number of people with cancer who  could not get  any benefits not even JSA, they use to argue with each other who should be paying, the people were left without any benefits at all

  • Anonymous

    This is interesting. who was in this special committee of all parties.

    Ministers say they will use a rule known as “financial privilege” to ensure Parliament approves the cap.
    A special committee of MPs from all parties approved the move on Wednesday.
    This will mean the Lords cannot send the same amendments back
    to the Commons when they re-consider the bill for a final time,
    preventing what is known as “ping pong” between the two chambers and
    effectively ending parliamentary opposition.

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