Campaigners who worked with Andy Burnham on disability issues fear the former Greater Manchester Mayor, now effectively Prime Minister after Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Labour leader last week, could cut Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit claimed by 4 million people.
Concerns over welfare spending
Shabaaz Mohammed, a campaigner with Disabled People Against Cuts Manchester, collaborated with Mr Burnham from 2018 on the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, established by the then mayor to advise on disability issues. However, Mohammed worries that Burnham might be swayed into cutting PIP as the Labour government seeks to control the rising DWP benefits bill.
Mohammed told The i: “Burnham has some charisma. He likes to be the nicest person in the room. But I couldn’t tell you what his political ideology is. I’m not starry-eyed about him. The bar is so low with politicians now that anyone who can hold a conversation with a regular person seems like a charismatic superstar.”
Appointment of James Purnell raises alarm
Fears among disabled people have intensified after Burnham appointed James Purnell, a DWP minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as his chief of staff. “I worry Burnham could be easily swayed by someone like that,” Mohammed said. “So it doesn’t fill me with confidence. I worry he [Burnham] will swallow the rhetoric about the need to cut welfare spending. We don’t want a Blairite tribute act.”
Mohammed added: “I worry they will still look to reduce the size of the welfare bill. It would be the wrong way to look at PIP. If you start by looking to save money, it’s not going to be an improvement.”
Potential protests and rebellion
Mohammed warned of street protests if eligibility for PIP is tightened. “If there is an attempt to squeeze the eligibility for PIP, there will be street protests. We can’t afford not to fight. I would hope Labour MPs would be prepared to rebel and support us again.” PIP is the leading disability benefit from the DWP, supporting 4 million claimants.
