A SCOTTISH Labour councillor has attacked his own party’s policies which have pushed disabled people and their families into poverty.
Dundee councillor Pete Shears wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, to say he finds it difficult to be in the same party as her over her decision to cut £5 billion in welfare funding.
Kendall also announced her plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP back in March in an attempt to fix the “broken benefits system”, despite disability charities and organisations heavily criticising her proposed changes.
The Ferry ward politician, Shears, said he witnessed first-hand the importance of state support as his mum fostered children he grew up with.
“I know Liz Kendall is unlikely to listen just to one councillor, but if more people speak up it might make a difference,” he told The Courier.
He added that his mum, who still fosters in Essex, is dedicated to making life better for children but Labour are “making things worse”.
In his letter to Kendall, Shears said: “As someone whose family fosters children with additional needs, I understand acutely the challenges faced when they reach adulthood and I find it difficult to be a representative of a party that is making changes to the welfare safety net.”
Shears's letter follows senior Labour members who also wrote to Kendall last month over the party's "indefensible" cuts to welfare benefits.
Ellen Morrison, disabled members’ representative on the Labour Party's National Executive Committee, and Kathy Bole, chair of Disability Labour, said they were both "appalled" by the Labour Government's decision.
Despite his concerns, Shears said he plans to fight for change to the system from within his party rather than leave.
He also claimed that locals are being let down by the SNP.
Shears also wrote separately to Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray criticising the “mismanagement” of Scotland’s health service.
His letter follows the decision by NHS Tayside to scrap new referrals for children’s autism and ADHD assessments last month.
The Scottish Government said it understands concerns of families in Tayside, and will respond to Shears.
“To ensure changes happen at pace, Scottish Government officials and professional advisers will work with NHS Tayside and children’s services partners to support the development of a new pathway for children and young people with neurodevelopmental concerns,” a spokesperson told The Courier.
