Liverpool's Lib Dems fight to stop disability benefits cuts for the most vulnerable

LIVERPOOL'S Liberal Democrats have called for Liverpool City Council to formally condemn Labour's incoming cuts to Personal Independence Payments and other disability benefits.

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that over 50,000 people within Liverpool receiving PIP now face uncertainty after the Labour Government set their sights on the welfare bill to make spending cuts.

Opposition Councillors lambasted the Labour Government's decision to slash benefits for disabled people. They drew comparisons to the amounts of tax avoidance done by the super rich, but that Labour sees disabled people as a soft target.

Nationally and locally, the Labour Party has faced rebellions on the issue of PIP cuts. Riverside MP Kim Johnson came out against the cuts, she'd previously supported scrapping the 2 child benefit cap only to have bottled it by failing to turn up for the vote.

The Lib Dem motion called for Council to write to the Government telling them they formally condemned the changes, reiterating that PIP is not a luxury and that many claimants use their PIP to enable them to work. Throughout the debate, the Liberal Democrats emphasised that these cuts are going to make life harder for disabled people; from getting to medical appointments to engaging with society.

They blame long back logs with the NHS that Labour have failed to clear as well as fundamental misunderstanding about the benefits system for the current situation. The Lib Dems are supportive of the:- "right to try" given to disabled people to help them back at work but have said that changes in eligibility criteria mean that some of the most vulnerable people will lose out.

Cllr Carl Cashman, Leader of the Opposition said:- "I've had a lot of people reach out to me over this; they are worried, not just for themselves, but for their friends and loved ones. They don't know how they are going to get by; the extra costs of equipment, mobility aids, and daily living for disabled people mount up. The current PIP assessment is already dehumanising and humiliating, it leaves people in limbo for weeks if not months whilst they're saddled with these extra costs waiting for an answer. I've had people tell me that they've appealed and taken it to tribunal only for the DWP to back down at the last minute and make an award. The whole system feels like it is dependent on human misery. We deserve a welfare system that treats disabled people with dignity and respect; not infantilising or belittling them like Labour’s Darren Jones did, comparing disability benefits to pocket money. What's really shocking is how out of touch we people Labour have been over this issue; if the Tories had made these changes Labour would be up in arms and on the streets, but look how quiet so many of them have been about this. They want to speak out and rebel because they know that this betrays what they stand for. It makes you ask whose side is Labour on?"

HMRC reminds parents in the North West to sign up to save with Tax-Free Childcare ahead of the Easter school holidays

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging working parents to open a Tax-Free Childcare account to save on their childcare costs ahead of the Easter School Holidays.

Tax-Free Childcare is a Government funded top up scheme for working parents and can be used to pay for approved childcare for children aged:- 11 or under, or up to:- 16 years old, if the child has a disability. Parents can save up to:- £2,000 per year per child or £4,000 if their child is disabled. The funds can be used to pay for a before- or after-school clubs, a childminder or an activity club during the holidays.

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the Government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months to help pay their childcare costs.

Latest figures show 67,800 families in the North West saved thousands on their childcare in December 2024, an increase of almost 10,500 compared to the previous year.

In December, parents across the UK received a total of £49.7 million in Government cash to save on their childcare bills.

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if:-

• They have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on:- 1 September, after their 11th Birthday.
  

• If their child has a disability, they receive up to:- £4,000 a year, until 1 September after their 16th Birthday.   
  

• The parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average.
  

• Each earn no more than £100,000 per annum.
  

• Do not receive:- tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.
  

• Families can check their eligibility and apply on:- Gov.UK.

Tax Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours for children aged 9 months old, subject to eligibility.