Stephen Crabb reaffirms no PIP cuts

Stephen Crabb Secretary of State at DWP addresses All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability AGM.

Over seventy observers, MPs and peers heard the Secretary of State at DWP Stephen Crabb repeat his commitment that the planned saving in personal independence payment would not be sought from cuts in welfare payments elsewhere affecting more disabled people.

He outlined his plans for a green paper to be published later this year that would set out how the Government intends to achieve its ambition of halving the disability employment gap.

The paper would be the subject of a consultation exercise. His presentation was followed by the Minister of Disabled People Justin Tomlinson MP responding to questions from the audience.

The AGM saw Dr Lisa Cameron MP confirmed as chair. Neil Coyle MP and Baroness Jane Campbell to act as co-secretaries. Vice chairs elected included Stephen McPartland, Johnny Mercer, Neil Gray and Heidi Allen from the commons and Baronesses Uddin, Hollins, Thomas, Grey-Thompson, Masham and Lord Dubbs for the Lords.

The meeting also heard on the progress of the APPG Inquiry; the deadline for which has been extended to July 11th

The intention is to hold two evidence sessions and Justin Tomlinson agreed to meet the inquiry. There will also be an assistive technology trade fair in the Attlee Room on November 10th that would allow MPs to see suppliers goods and services and meet recipients of Access to Work and Disabled Student Allowance who benefit from this type of support.

A more detailed set of minutes and/or a transcript of the AGM will be posted on our website in due course.