3-02-04

Benefits roller-coaster must end – Barrett

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the Government to urgently review the system of benefits for the sick and disabled.

A report, published by Citizens Advice Scotland, has shown an alarming number of sick and disabled people are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled, because they find the system too baffling.

A concerning number of general practioners are unable to accurately appeal for benefits for their patients because the advice and information given for making an appeal is both conflicting and confusing. 

Mr Barrett has now backed a cross-party parliamentary motion, calling on the Government to increase the awareness of entitlement to disability-related benefits, whilst simplifying the existing system.  The matter will also be the subject of a parliamentary debate in Westminster Hall today.

In a statement, John Barrett said:

"One of the most basic measures of a decent society is how it helps those in most need.  This report by Citizens Advice Scotland, which does such good work in helping advising their clients about their rights, highlights a disability benefits system that is complex and inconsistent.

"Clearly, the process of applying for these benefits is putting many people off.  As Citizens Advice have shown in this report, the welfare system should work smoothly, giving people with a sickness or disability an opportunity to live their lives with dignity and security.  Instead they face a roller coaster experience when applying for help; no wonder so many choose not to bother.

"In the short term, the Department for Work and Pensions must simplify the benefits system.  From there, it must raise the awareness of the help that is available.  Combined, these two steps should help to ensure that those suffering from sickness or disability get a fairer deal from the state."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Mr Barrett has added his name to EDM 496:

That this House welcomes Citizens Advice Scotland's recent report, Riding the Benefits Roller-coaster, looking at experiences of Scottish Citizens Advice Bureaux clients in claiming sickness and disability benefits; notes that sick and disabled people are missing out on benefits they are entitled to due to a lack of understanding of the current system; further notes the uncertainty caused by the processes for reviewing on-going entitlement to these benefits; further notes with concern the conflicting guidance given to general practitioners about their role in providing medical evidence for appeals against disability benefits decisions and the difficulty this creates for people in the process of appealing; recognises the impact of these problems on sick and disabled people and on their carers and communities across the United Kingdom; applauds the valuable role played by Citizens Advice Bureaux in advising clients about sickness and disability benefits; considers that the Government should reconsider the processes for reviewing entitlement to sickness benefits to mitigate the effects of the current procedures on legitimate benefits claimants and should further consider working with the devolved administrations in clarifying the responsibilities of general practitioners in relation to providing further evidence to patients challenging disability benefits decisions; and calls on the Government to take action to raise awareness of entitlement to disability-related benefits.

• A full copy of the CAB report can be found at:
www.cas.org.uk/Riding_the_benefits_roller-coaster_-_with_cover.pdf