Several dozen people protested outside the Leyton and Wanstead MP’s constituency office yesterday evening, reports Marco Marcelline
Disability and anti-cuts campaigners have called on Leyton and Wanstead MP Calvin Bailey to oppose welfare reform proposals.
At a protest on Thursday (5th June) organised outside the Labour MP’s constituency office in Leytonstone by the left-wing umbrella group We Demand Change, several dozen activists chanted slogans such as “When they say cut back, we say fight back!”
In a bid to make savings of up to £5billion by 2030, the Labour government has proposed tightening eligibility criteria for personal independence payments (PIP), slashing incapacity benefits for new claimants by 50%, and reducing out-of-work payments for under-22s.
MPs are due to vote on the Welfare Reform Bill later this month amid widespread disquiet on Labour backbenches about the announced proposals.
Bailey responded to yesterday evening’s protest by expressing concern about the “speed and scale” of the welfare reform, telling the Echo he had “raised questions with both Downing Street and ministers”.
Speaking at the protest, Stella Ouriache, from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), said that the “most marginalised and vulnerable” were “again being attacked and used to pay for Labour’s warfare and austerity choices”.
She continued: “The government would rather focus on emulating far right politics to keep votes, while demonising the disabled, refugees and immigrants instead of addressing the real concerns of ordinary people such as the cost of living crisis, education and a crumbling welfare state.”
Issues such as Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, trans rights, and the government’s language on immigration were also raised by protesters.
Peter O’Kane, a housing activist with East London Unite Community additionally raised the high rate of people living in temporary accommodation in the capital and across the UK.
He said: “We have one of the highest numbers in history of people living in temporary accommodation and yet we pay colossal amounts through benefits to the private landlords. That shows that without fundamental change away from a market-driven system, we are not going to have any significant improvement.”
In a statement to the Echo, Bailey said: ‘I completely understand the fear and anger around proposed changes to social security. After 14 years of damaging Tory policies, it’s no surprise people are deeply concerned. Any reform must protect the financial stability of disabled people and those who need support most.”
He added: “Reform is needed but it must be compassionate, fair, and not force people further from work or stability. I will continue to raise these points and I encourage residents to share their views with me and get in touch if they need assistance.”
You can contact Calvin Bailey via [email protected]
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