Meacher blast for welfare changes

OLDHAM MP Michael Meacher has accused the Government of “social cleansing” by pushing ahead with its “callous” welfare changes.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said families would be split up as they get priced out of areas when the benefit cap comes into force. He said: “The welfare changes and reductions in housing benefits are no longer just affecting people in the south of England.

“Reducing the benefits means people cannot afford their bills so they move from London to Luton, to Milton Keynes and this will keep continuing due to the lowering of the benefit cap. This amounts to social cleansing. It is an utter disgrace.”

Mr Meacher was one of just 48 Labour MPs to vote against the second reading of the Welfare Bill in the Commons. He said he will continue to speak out about the changes, opposing the “callous” changes.

Mr Meacher said the bill ignores the plight of children in low-income working households, removes the concept of child poverty from statute books and cuts income of sick and disabled people.

He urged the Labour leadership candidates to stick together and highlight the “stark humanity” of the bill.

The Department of Work and Pensions’ own impact assessment said the changes in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill will affect more than 330,000 children.

A leaked memo also said the changes would push 40,000 children into poverty.