Concerns Grow as Sir Kier Cuts Disability Support
Martyn Day, SNP Candidate for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, has hit out at Sir Kiers Labour MPs — for backing cuts to vital support for sick and disabled people.
It comes after the UK Parliament passed the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill, which will see new claimants lose out on thousands of pounds in support annually. The legislation introduces what campaigners are calling a “two-tier system,” where young and newly disabled people receive significantly less than those with the same needs who qualified earlier.
Martyn Day says local residents are already raising alarm at the direction of the new Labour Government.
“People in our communities are angry — and rightly so. I’ve already been contacted by constituents who are shocked that Labour’s first major action on welfare is to cut support for sick and disabled people,” said Mr Day.
“These changes will punish younger and newly disabled individuals — through no fault of their own — and leave them worse off than others with the same needs. It’s not only deeply unfair, it’s a clear betrayal of the promises Keir Starmer made to deliver real change.”
The SNP has described the vote as another Westminster austerity policy targeting the most vulnerable, following on from Labour’s refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap and its U-turn on restoring pensioners’ winter fuel payments.
“Scottish Labour promised to stand up to Keir Starmer — but instead they’ve voted to take money away from people who need it most,” Day added.
“Westminster parties keep making the same choices: austerity, inequality, and cuts. It’s clearer than ever that decisions about Scotland’s future should be made in Scotland — not imposed on us by governments we didn’t vote for.”
Martyn Day reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to opposing these cuts and fighting for a fairer social security system based on dignity, fairness, and respect — but stressed that only independence will give Scotland the powers it needs to deliver real change.
“Scotland deserves better. With the full powers of independence, we can build a social security system that works for us — one that puts compassion and fairness at its heart, and ensures decisions are always taken on Scotland’s side.”
