Scottish Liberal Democrats campaign against the Employment Support Allowance.

LibDem Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Hugh O'Donnell has tabled a motion asking for an urgent review of employment and support allowance on the grounds that it is failing 'to work in the interests of the genuinely sick and disabled people of Central Scotland and the rest of the country.'

A motion is rather like a petition amongst MSPs - they can sign it to show their support and in some circumstances it can lead to a debate. However, as yet no other MSPs have supported the motion. Obviously a motion in the Scottish Parliament will not really affect anyone. However, it appears that we are reaching a point where showing support for sick and disabled benefit claimants is politically incorrect. It is a brave person who stands up against the demonisation of benefit claimants. it's so much safer to join in the scapegoating that all three major political parties have signed up to.

So, if you want to email Hugh O'Donnell and thank him for daring to risk unpopularity by tabling this motion, you can do so at: Hugh.O'Donnell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk. And if you live in Scotland perhaps you could ask your representative to sign motion S3M-6299, which we've reproduced in full below or, if they won't, ask them to explain themselves.

Here is Hugh O'Donnell motion, S3M-6299 - Employment Support Allowance is unfit for purpose.

That the Parliament is concerned about the workings of the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); notes evidence from the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Service in Scotland that uncovers serious hardship experienced by ESA claimants across Scotland; considers that sickness benefits should support people in finding employment if they are able to work, but must also provide help for those who are not; considers that ESA is failing to find this balance and is putting pressure on sick and disabled people in Scotland; notes in particular, claims that the work capability assessment of ESA is making unsuitable decisions on claimants' fitness for work and that 70% of CAB appeals against these decisions are being upheld, and resolves that ESA be urgently reviewed so that it can be made to work in the interests of the genuinely sick and disabled people of Central Scotland and the rest of the country.