Exeter Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson speaks out against PIP disability benefit cuts
WA
by Will Aczel
19 Apr 2025
I know from my own experiences with friends, family, and door-knocking, PIP disability benefits are already dangerously too hard to claim. Yet the Labour government is proposing to reduce payments and restrict eligibility.
It’s abhorrent that we’re looking for savings amongst our most vulnerable whilst inequality continues to rise.
I’ve written to Exeter’s MP to provide him the opportunity to clarify his policy position:
![Will Aczel Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Exeter exeterlibdems.org.uk will@exeterlibdems.org.uk @WillAczel4Exeter on Facebook and Instagram @WillAczel on Bluesky07938 433352 Exeter Liberal Democrats Dear Steve Race MP, Like many of your constituents, I'm appalled by the Labour government's proposal to slash PIP disability benefits. During the campaign trail and since, you have expressed your commitment to championing and empowering disabled people. This is why it's particularly alarming, for trust in politics, that you haven't stood up for disabled people by speaking out against these cuts. In fact, some, such as The Canary[1], suggest your letter last month, signed along with 35 other Labour MPs, to "Get Britain Working" through "welfare reforms" means you support these cuts. I found this letter vague and fluffy, whilst the cuts themselves are devastating, cruel, and regressive. They will cause considerable pain to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society. I want to provide you the opportunity to clarify your position on whether you support the cuts to PIP disability benefits. It's crucial to know for your constituents with disabilities, their friends and families. I know from my own experiences with friends and family that PIP is already dangerously too hard to claim. Cutting it will not encourage people into work because it is not means tested (nor should it be!). This is because this benefit should be providing an important foundation from which disabled people can thrive, at least somewhat making up for the disadvantages disabled people face in our society. Therefore, cutting this vital support will not grow the economy. If anything, it will shrink it. The Labour government also says it makes such decisions in the interests of 'economic stability'. But economic stability for whom when it comes off the backs of a group who are amongst those who can least afford it and are most disadvantaged? I find it abhorrent that we are looking for savings amongst our most vulnerable whilst inequality is continuing to rise. Repeatedly you have claimed you came into politics to make people's lives better and that Labour will make people's lives better. This decision will worsen people's lives. I encourage you to listen to the experiences of disabled people and respond with appropriate respect and action. From my conversations with people who've had to try to navigate claiming PIP, the focus should be on improving the way benefits are managed, rather than on denying support to those in need. What's also particularly disturbing is the shift in PIP payments to those aged 22 and over. This continues to infantilise young adults and makes independence for those living with serious health conditions in their first few years of adulthood near impossible. I urge you to stand up for disabled people and oppose these cuts. I believe this is especially important considering you represent many as Exeter's MP and sit on the parliamentary group for people with ME/CFS. It would be a mistake to make it even harder for them to live, let alone work. Please provide a clear and concise statement about your policy position on cutting PIP disability benefits. Do you support the cuts? Kind regards, Will Aczel Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Exeter 10 Thornton Hill, Exeter, EX4 4NS [1] https://www.thecanary.co/long-read/2025/04/01/dwp-cuts-me-cfs/](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/0/csm_Will_s_PIP_letter_to_Steve_Race_fb_e68d27a382.png)