SDLP deputy leader Nicola Mallon
SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Nichola Mallon says secured the “cast iron commitment” that no one will lose out from new but “flawed” PIP review.
The SDLP deputy leader said: “At a meeting with the Department for Communities I secured the cast iron commitment that no one will lose out as a result of the new PIP review following the High Court Ruling.
“The Department also assured me that no claimants will have to undergo reasssessment, instead the review will be a paper exercise.
“This will bring relief to the thousands of vulnerable people here who rely on PIP and have already gone through the anxiety and stress of an assessment.
“The PIP system is fundamentally flawed.
“It is not about supporting disabled people to live as independently as possible. It is an ideologically driven assault on the disabled to balance the books.
“I’ve written to the Secretary of State urging that legislation is brought forward immediately so that the review can begin here as quickly as possible.
“Those people who were unfairly and unlawfully discriminated against because of their mental ill health deserve to receive their entitlement in full, backdated and with immediate effect.
“The November High Court Ruling has highlighted one aspect of this fundamental flawed system; it’s blatant discrimination against those with mental health conditions.
2If this Tory Government continues to dogmatically plough on with this system, I have no doubt there will be more successful High Court and Supreme Court cases taken against other aspects,” added the MLA.
