THE news that the Government is proposing to stop or reduce Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) to up to 160,000 disabled recipients nationally will be yet another blow to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
Across Cheshire West and Chester some 4,209 individuals are supported by PIPs of whom approximately 1,200 live in the Northwich and Winsford area.
These payments are intended to support people and their families deal with the consequences of disability or long term health conditions and were phased in some four years ago to replace Disability Living Allowance.
The Government seems unwilling to accept two recent tribunal rulings that claimants with psychological disabilities were as entitled to PIPs as those with physical disabilities, contradicting their own policy of giving equality between mental and physical health.
Indeed denying support like PIPs is a false economy as without it many will tip into crisis often requiring much costlier interventions than the Chancellor hopes to save.
Cllr Paul Dolan Winnington and Castle Ward CWAC cabinet member adult social care
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