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Theresa May confronted by disabled woman angry over government cuts on campaign trail | Theresa May confronted by disabled woman angry over government cuts on campaign trail |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Theresa May has been confronted by a voter protesting about cuts to her disability benefits, in her toughest moment on the campaign trail. | Theresa May has been confronted by a voter protesting about cuts to her disability benefits, in her toughest moment on the campaign trail. |
A woman called Cathy, who said she had learning difficulties, tore into the Prime Minister on a walkabout in a market in Oxfordshire. | A woman called Cathy, who said she had learning difficulties, tore into the Prime Minister on a walkabout in a market in Oxfordshire. |
Cathy told Ms May of the harsh effect of losing her Disability Living Allowance, which was replaced by the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP). | Cathy told Ms May of the harsh effect of losing her Disability Living Allowance, which was replaced by the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP). |
“Do you know what I want? I want my Disability Living Allowance to come back,” she told the Prime Minister. “Not have PIPs and get nothing.” | “Do you know what I want? I want my Disability Living Allowance to come back,” she told the Prime Minister. “Not have PIPs and get nothing.” |
“I can’t live on £100 a month. They just took it all away from me.” | “I can’t live on £100 a month. They just took it all away from me.” |
Ms May tried to say that she was giving mental health more priority but Cathy interrupted to say: “I mean people in wheelchairs, and everybody, not just myself. For all of us!” | Ms May tried to say that she was giving mental health more priority but Cathy interrupted to say: “I mean people in wheelchairs, and everybody, not just myself. For all of us!” |
The confrontation was captured by 5 News, after repeated criticism of the Prime Minister for avoiding real voters in favour of stage-managed events with Tory supporters. | The confrontation was captured by 5 News, after repeated criticism of the Prime Minister for avoiding real voters in favour of stage-managed events with Tory supporters. |
Cathy had spotted the Prime Minister in Abingdon market, saying to her: “Theresa, are you going to help people with learning disabilities? I’m being serious, I want you to do something for us. | |
“I haven’t got a carer at the moment and I’m angry. And I would like somebody to help me because I can’t do everything I want to do. | “I haven’t got a carer at the moment and I’m angry. And I would like somebody to help me because I can’t do everything I want to do. |
“I’m talking about everyone. I want them not to have their money taken away from them and being crippled. The fat cats keep the money and us lot get nothing!” | “I’m talking about everyone. I want them not to have their money taken away from them and being crippled. The fat cats keep the money and us lot get nothing!” |
The Prime Minister tried to deflect the criticism, by saying: “Cathy, we're doing a number of things. Let me tell you just one thing...”, but Cathy carried on, determined to tell of her hardship because of the controversial benefits shake-up. | |
The learning disability charity Mencap offered support to Cathy, arguing it was “very worrying” that the Prime Minister did not appear to understand her condition. | |
“Many people with a learning disability are scared of changes to their disability benefits and are understandably angry,” said Ismail Kaji, a Mencap support officer. | |
“I was really worried to hear Theresa May keep talking about mental health, when Cathy said she has a learning disability, which is not anything to do with mental health. | |
“That makes me think that Theresa May is unclear on the difference, and that is very worrying.” | |
There has been rising controversy over PIPs, including over a recent increase in people having their claims rejected. | |
A total of 134,000 people were awarded zero scores for either help with daily living or limited mobility, or both, between March and October last year. | |
Around 900 people are losing their Motability cars each week, having been awarded only the standard, instead of the enhanced rate of PIP, leaving many unable to get around. | |
And ministers were strongly criticised last month, when they overturned a tribunal ruling that PIPs should also cover conditions including epilepsy, diabetes and dementia. | |
Anger grew when it emerged the Government’s experts had called for a delay until the changes had been properly tested and “clearly understood”. | |
Quizzed by The Independent last week, the Prime Minister refused to rule out making further cuts to disability benefits in the next Parliament, if she is returned to power. |