Disabled people in Stockton North risk losing out on over £4 million in additional support over the year as a result of the Tory Government’s failure to increase Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), says Alex Cunningham MP.
A £20 uplift was applied to Universal Credit at the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic but not ESA, with Work Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey saying in May that any uplift to ESA would take several months. Since then 3,949 ill and disabled people in Stockton North have not received any additional support.
Alex said:
“That the Conservative Government has had months to ensure disabled people get the support they need but have simply chosen not to is disgraceful.
“Disabled people have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Government needs to act now: end this discrimination and make sure those who rely on ESA get the support they need during this health and economic crisis.”
