Angela Crawley MP will today consult with disability organisations to hear their views on the UK Government’s long-awaited Green Paper on changes to disability support.

During the 2015 Spending Review, the UK Government announced a new Work and Health programme would be implemented in 2017 with the then Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith promising to examine support for disabled people in a formal White Paper.

His predecessor Stephen Crabb MP downgraded the White Paper to a Green Paper and now it falls to his predecessor Damian Green MP to announce a timetable for the consultation, publish the long-awaited Green Paper and implement the new programme.

Under the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government will have the power to deliver new employment support programmes from April 2017.

Commenting, Angela said:

“Since announcing a new proposed Work and Health programme in last year’s Spending Review, the UK Government have failed to set out a clear timetable for consultation and have instead dithered and delayed and refused to outline a timetable for discussion.

“The views of disabled people and those who have a long-term health condition must be represented properly if the UK Government’s proposed Work and Health programme is to work for people and ensure the right level of support is provided.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring its Social Security system and employability support programmes for disabled people will have respect and dignity at their core.

“But with 85% of welfare spending still firmly in the hands of the increasingly right-wing Tories, and an 87% cut in employment support, we will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to take urgent action to reverse the damage done by their regressive social policies to the most disadvantaged in Scotland.

“This roundtable discussion is an important opportunity to discuss how we can work together to influence the UK Government’s agenda to better meet the needs of disabled people.”

ENDS