Maria Eagle MP A Strong Voice in Tough Times
PIP Westminster Hall Debate – 26th March 2019
Below is a clip from my speech during yesterday's debate on the administration of Personal Independence Payments on Merseyside which I managed to secure. ⬇️⬇️Many of my constituents who are either disabled or have serious long term illness are finding the benefits they're entitled to stopped or reduced under PIP. People are losing the motability cars that they rely on, and many are being forced into real financial hardship. Constituents have told me about decisions that are based on completely inaccurate assessment reports, that when appealed are overturned in the majority of cases. But the wait for an appeal is excruciatingly long (10 months on Merseyside, sometimes longer). This means people are left for almost a year without the financial support they urgently need. PIP has been around now for 6 years, but these problems still haven't been fixed.It's time the Government recognises that the system isn't working and gets to grips with making the changes that will ensure it does.
Posted by Maria Eagle MP on Thursday, March 28, 2019
I led a debate on Tuesday in Parliament about problems with the administration of PIP on Merseyside. Click on the video above to watch my speech.
My office has seen a three-fold increase in cases this year and there are some horrendous individual circumstances. I do manage to get some put right but with a 9 month wait for tribunal hearings, people are losing lifelines like their Motability cars (after 6 months) yet 75% of them win the appeals. Sick and disabled people are having to attend food banks to eat because of these problems.
Constituents have told me about decisions that are based on completely inaccurate assessment reports, that when appealed are overturned in the majority of cases. I fear the cases my office has dealt with are just the tip of the iceberg, I urge anyone who is in this position to contact my office and we will do our very best to help.
It’s time the Government recognises that the system isn’t working and gets to grips with making the changes that will ensure it does.