Oldham MP uses 'digital' Parliament to challenge Government minister

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has used her first appearance in the all-new ‘digital Parliament’ to hold the Government to account over its treatment of disabled people. 

Mrs Abrahams, who campaigned for the creation for a digital Parliament - arguing that democracy must be able to continue during the coronavirus outbreak - used her work and pensions select committee appearance to challenge the Government’s minster for disabled people.

She said: “We know that disabled people have been particularly hit over the last 10 years, on average receiving £1,200 a year less in terms of social security support, and yet their costs have gone up £580 a month in terms of additional cost by virtue of the disability. 

“And since the lockdown there's evidence that additional cost to that £580 a month are being incurred.”

She went on to ask the minister: “Isn’t it right that the Government should be increasing PIP and ESA and other disability support in line with other increases?”

The minister, Justin Tomlinson, defended the Government’s record, saying: “Well, actually since 2010 we've seen the increase in spending, to support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, an increase by £10bn in real terms.”

But Labour’s former shadow work and pensions secretary interrupted him waving a report by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) to counter his claims, adding: “If you look at the DBC's analysis, you've quoted them before today, this report is from last year and shows on average that disabled people have received less money.

“So there may be an addition in terms of the budget line.

"But in terms of what actual people receive it is gone down and there's a huge evidence-base to support that.”

Explaining why she had campaigned for a digital Parliament, Mrs Abrahams said: “We must enable democracy to continue during the coronavirus outbreak, and that means holding this Government to account by scrutinising their policies and plans.

"The people of Oldham and Saddleworth need to know I will continue to raise their issues in Parliament on their behalf despite the restrictions caused by the CORVID-19 pandemic. 

"The country is adapting to social distancing, and working from home where possible, and so must Parliament.”

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