The government has embarked on a spectacular U-turn on devastating cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) following the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith, former Cabinet Minister for Work and Pensions.
The planned cuts to PIP, which were revealed in Wednesday's budget, would have targeted claimants who struggle to get dressed or undressed and those who require an aid to help them use the toilet.
However, following public anger, relentless charity campaigning and the shock resignation of the Minister responsible for the cuts, the government today agreed to shelve the reforms, stating 'we're not going ahead with those proposed PIP cuts...and as a government we're not seeking further savings from welfare'.
Headway welcomes the government's climb-down on PIP which was expected to leave more that half a million disabled people - including many brain injury survivors - £150-a-week worse off and struggling to live independently.
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, said "The recent budget demonstrates the planned cuts to PIP were, as Iain Duncan Smith suggested following his resignation, protecting the richest at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society.
"It is critical that the government does not sacrifice brain injury survivors and other disabled people as it relentlessly pursues a deficit reduction strategy.
"Survivors of brain injury require support in order to cope with the often devastating effects of their injury and disability benefits enable them to escape social isolation and achieve independent living.
"Instead, they have been continually failed and neglected by government. However, as disability benefits currently take pride of place on the political agenda, this U-turn presents an opportunity for the government to abandon its misguided approach to disability.
"We hope the Ministers will now engage in direct discussion with brain injury survivors and charities to formulate policy that enables disabled people to rebuild their lives, regain their independence and participate in society."
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